AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reminded Napoli that the second part of the season is ‘more important than the first’ as he looked ahead to his return from injury.
The Swede set 2023 as his target to return from the day after the knee operation he underwent in May. At the age of 41, Ibra dreams of returning to the field with Milan to help them cut the gap to Napoli and to try and beat Spurs in the Champions League last 16.
Tonight, Zlatan was present at the Globe Soccer Awards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and was interviewed by Sky, who first of all asked him how he is feeling and how his recovery from injury is going.
“I really want to return, can’t you see me clearly? I’m fine, I’m better. Work, work and hopefully something will come back,” he said (via MilanNews).
When he is back, he will rejoin a group that are currently second in the Serie A table and eight points behind Luciano Spalletti’s side, with a mouth watering round of 16 clash against Spurs in the Champions League also to come.
“This season is a bit different, I couldn’t be there in the first part of the season, I hope so in the second. The team has grown a lot since I arrived. The team is doing well, Napoli is doing better and it shows in the standings. But the second part is more important than the first.”
Ibrahimovic’s answer was emphatic when asked whether he and his team-mates believe they can still defend their Scudetto.
“Why shouldn’t we believe it? We always believe in it.”
On the Champions League match against Tottenham, he added: “The Champions League is always difficult. It will be an open match, there isn’t a favourite. You have to feel good when the time comes.”
Finally, the 41-year-old also spoke about directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, who were instrumental in bringing him back to the club and have had a huge hand in the recent resurgence of the Rossoneri on the field.
“They are doing a great job. Thanks to them, Milan is making this successful course. They are growing as a team and as a club, the club is in new hands and it’s not like before. We are doing a great job, everyone is responsible for him and everyone is doing well.”
