Milan hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic was ‘hungry’ for success against Inter after two weeks in quarantine. ‘Nobody was going to stop me playing in the derby.’
The 39-year-old was making his comeback after a bout of COVID-19, yet scored two goals as Milan won the Derby della Madonnina 2-1.
“Milan hadn’t won the derby in four years, I was stuck at home for two weeks, so I was hungry and it showed,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.
“I lost my sense of taste a little bit, but I had a swab every three days and nobody was going to stop me playing the derby.”
“I’m disappointed that the penalty was saved, but the important thing is that the team won. I am the oldest in the squad, I feel a lot of responsibility and I like that feeling, as they all follow my lead and are hungry to win.”
Ibra was asked if he was amazed by his own performances, but of course the answer was no.
“I know my level. After the injury, I went to America in order to feel alive. I told Jose Mourinho at Manchester United that I wasn’t ready and didn’t want to be a disappointment, so I went to America.
“Mino Raiola told me to return to Europe, they told me Milan needed me, so I came. I feel like a more complete player now than I was 10 years ago. If I had the fitness levels I did 10 years ago, nobody would stop me. Mind you, they can’t stop me now either.
“I train hard, I play with experience and teammates who are ready to help out. I won’t accept them taking their foot off the gas, in training or in a match. We must always train at 200 per cent.”
After a perfect start to the season, can Milan win the Scudetto?
“We are taking it one game at a time,” continued Zlatan. “When I arrived, the objective was qualifying for Europe and we did it. I do think the Scudetto is a possibility, because if you believe, then you can achieve anything. There’s a long way to go, though.”
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