AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic slammed arch-rivals Inter Milan for their defensive-minded approach to the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday.
AC Milan remain top of the Serie A after obtaining a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in a hotly contested clash at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium in Bergamo on Sunday.
When Ibrahimovic switched from Internazionale to FC Barcelona in 2009, he was expected to enjoy a collection of great moments with the Spanish club. Many even predicted that he would turn into a loyal member of the club and pursue his career at the Camp Nou for several years.
Ibrahimovic himself stated that he was more than happy at Barca shortly after his arrival; but his love for the team - and especially for the coach - soon died. It was said that mid-way through the striker’s term with the giants, his relationship with Pep Guardiola completely broke lose, causing more or less significant tensions to separate them.
After his departure to AC Milan, Ibra told the press: “He (Guardiola) went down as a person in my estimation. He avoided me and wouldn't even look me in the eye.
1) As at now, Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leads the goal scorers’ chart. The Schalke 04 forward has netted 11 goals for his country in 594 minutes - imposing himself over Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who is 2 goals behind, having played 89 minutes less.
Ibra, who’s been included in Sweden’s roster for the country’s UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers against Finland and the Netherlands, recently told Sportbladet:
Inter coach Leonardo will affront AC Milan for the first time in his career with fans counting on his tones of knowledge about the Rossoneri to play the trick. But how will Milan protect themselves on Saturday without ex-Internazionale striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Live Soccer TV wonders if the absence of the suspended forward will negatively affect AC Milan.
AC Milan vs Internazionale Puts Leonardo In The Cooking Pot...
From the grass, to the desk, to the training camps... Leonardo knows so much about AC Milan after being there as a player, a director and a head-coach. On Saturday, the Brazilian will become one of the many people who experienced a renegade through the Derby della Madonnina. Indeed, Leonardo’s memories of his career with the Rossoneri may fill up many pages if written down in details. But how will they weight when AC Milan and Internazionale will clash at the San Siro this weekend?
AC Milan will take on Inter Milan this Saturday in a very crucial clash that could even see Inter take top spot if AC Milan lose. The Rossoneri are just two points ahead of their city rivals and they will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a setback against Palermo three weeks ago.
Tonight, Spurs have the chance to do what fellow English side Arsenal couldn’t do: to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. But will Milan bow out from Europe like Roma did on Tuesday?
Tottenham Hotspur And Their Italian Miracles
Harry knows how to do it against Italian teams. At least, that’s what he’s proven so far. The story of his success against Serie A’s top two giants started with Gareth Bale’s famous hat-trick at the San Siro against Internazionale. On that night, which occurred during the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, Tottenham Hotspur didn’t take a single point from the game.
However, they left Inter’s ground having found a treasure: an elixir to keep them alive in Europe’s biggest club tournament where they appear as inexperienced soldiers engaging in thrilling battles. As of now, Coach Harry Redknapp can be satisfied about Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Champions League campaign.
The January Transfer window which ended yesterday brought yet another moment of madness in the transfer value. Like what Sir Alex Ferguson said, there is no value in the transfer market.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo: Completely Aware
Well, it would seem fair to admit that Cristiano Ronaldo had a rather poor start to the 2010/2011 season. But just as Portugal started to experience a positive change at the international level, the Portuguese superstar winger found his sparkling form once again. 6 goals and 4 assists have taken Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the charts in La Liga. Statistics also reveal that the former Ballon d’Or winner has netted 6 times in his last four matches for Portugal and Real Madrid.
So ahead of Tuesday night’s mega clash between Real Madrid and AC Milan, the public is expecting Ronnie to finally enjoy a great game in the Champions League this season. Most importantly for the player himself, who hasn’t yet opened his goal scoring account in Europe this term, Los Blancos have to avoid a repeat of last year’s 3-2 defeat to AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal’s Carlos Vela as well as Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and David Villa are three among 13 players in total to have scored 2 goals after match-day 2. Above these players in the top scorers chart, Inter Milan’s Samuel Eto’o, Olympique Lyonnais’ Michel Bastos, Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka, and AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all netted more than 2 goals. We take a look back at their goals through video highlights.
1) Samuel Eto’o – Inter Milan: 4 Goals
The Cameroonian looks to have found back his goal scoring touch. Years ago during his spell at Barcelona, bagging goals seemed to be an easy task for Samuel Eto’o whose partnership with Ronaldinho was delightful for lovers of the beautiful game.
Portugal vs Denmark – Cristiano Ronaldo only has ONE option
After drawing 4-4 at home to Cyprus and losing 1-0 away to Norway, Portugal’s chances of entering the finals of the UEFA Euro 2012 are visibly slim. In addition to their problems, Carlos Queiroz’s replacement could be the source of instability issues among the squad; but although worries are piling up in the background, hope is not gone. Fortunately, Portugal still have one man who could lead them through the dark in their qualification for the European Championship, and that man is none other than Captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Surely, for neutral football fans and Portugal followers, it is always exciting to see the world’s most famous active soccer superstar. However, in the situation where the Selecção presently are, big names with major club attainments are just priceless add-ons to a wounded army.
The Sweden international describe is 2009 transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona as a dream come true, but a strange relationship with Coach Pep Guardiola and a rather poor goal-scoring record let the player think differently. Adding to his confusion was the Blaugrana’s signing of David Villa before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“Ibrahimovic asked me to get him out of Barcelona, because he was ashamed to stay there,” Mano Raiola was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
For the Rossoneri, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has 5 goals in his name – three of which came in the UEFA Champions League. Things are yet to click perfectly for AC Milan who have now been accused of relying too much on the former Inter Milan striker.
The former Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Barcelona star striker seems to have a wild desire to achieve success with his new club AC Milan. On Tuesday night, the Rossoneri will come up against their Dutch counterparts in Holland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to take on one of his former clubs without any regret as he told Voetbal International:
“It was during my days at Ajax that I became a star. I still have friends in Armsterdam. This time, though, I’m not coming for fun, but for three points.”
Ajax’s home crowd may not see a “friendly” attitude from the Swede. It seems like Ibrahimovic has his mind set on nothing else but to help AC Milan succeed – which makes it look like his friendship with Ajax’s club and supporters will be put to bed for at least 90 minutes of football.
On several occasions, Ibra has been reproached by football personalities and followers for his indomitable spirit. The Swedish forward is said to have a uniquely divisive attitude in the dressing rooms, which explains why he has been going through hectic transfers in the past few years.
Despite his negative outlook, he is still a big target for Europe’s top clubs; and behind this fact lies a mysterious question. Why would such a “cocky” player be wanted by top sides if his moral fiber was as disapproving as many believe it to be? Perhaps this is simply because the world has unduly translated into arrogance the typical combination of high confidence and mental power, which has made Ibrahimovic an incomprehensible player.
The Swede had quite some interesting and controversial statements to make during a special press conference which was carried out on Thursday. Some had predicted that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would remain a Blaugrana throughout the 2010/2011 season despite strong speculations earlier this summer indicating that the striker was on his way to AC Milan.
Ibra has finally returned to Italy to join Inter Milan’s city rivals. On Thursday, he explained how he came to leave Pep Guardiola’s well-built Barcelona squad to join the hungry Rossoneri.
“Silvio Berlusconi convinced me to join [AC Milan]. I spoke to him twice, and he said many things that were important. I was convinced, and I was already ready to move before the clubs reached an agreement.”
As he kept recalling how things happened, Zlatan Ibrahimovic told during the press conference which took place at the Boscolo Hotel:
The 29-year-old striker was officially announced as a Rossoneri on August 28, having completed a loan move from Barcelona. The ex-Inter Milan striker doesn’t regret his switch from Spain back to the Italian Serie A where a hungry AC Milan team could enjoy a great season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic declared during the press conference:
“The first few days at Milanello have been fantastic. I’ve received a great response from all people. I could tell this was a wonderful thing. The fans have all been tremendous and everything has been fantastic.
“Finally, I’m here now. And for me, this is the most beautiful shirt I’ve played in. Every year, you always have to win something, and when you are in a great team like Milan, then you are favorites to win the UEFA Champions League and the Scudetto.”
On Monday, Ibrahimovic’s agent made it clear that the player had his future in his own hands. Now speculations suggest that a deal between Barcelona and AC Milan for the signature of the Swede is imminent.
As the Catalans declared that they have no intention in selling the former Inter Milan play maker, Ibra’s agent Mino Raiola explained in an interview with ANSA:
“Ibrahimovic has a four-year contract with Barcelona. They’ve never said they wanted to sell the player. If Zlatan leaves Barca, it will be his own decision. We have no deals with anyone.”
As always, a win for Barcelona will be Pep Guardiola’s main target during the game, but – in addition to this – the Spanish manager will also want his side’s victory to be huge in terms of goal margin; as surpassing rivals Real Madrid in goal difference could have an impact on Los Blancos’ mentality.
Subsequent to 3 draws, 1 loss and a single win in 5 games, Almeria lie in 11th place with only 6 points in the Spanish league standings. Therefore, a victory in Catalonia could easily place them into the first half of the league table; yet accomplishing such a task will be very difficult, as Almeria are yet to succeed away from home this season.