Zlat’s back as Milan break winless streak
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal since returning to AC Milan as the San Siro men ended a three-game losing streak at Cagliari.
The Swede, who joined the Italian club for a second time on a free transfer in December, swept in a finish after 64 minutes after Rafael Leao’s deflected strike had broken the deadlock early in the second half in a 2-0 win.
Ibrahimovic, who made his second debut off the bench during Monday’s 0-0 draw with Sampdoria, has now scored a top-flight senior goal in four different decades.
The 38-year-old said: “It’s important for a striker to score. Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t. sn’t.
“I feel good. I got a few things hings wrong at the start of the game ame but I need a few matches too get into top form.
“The coach thinks aboutt my age but it’s not a problem, my mind is still sharp and the body must follow.”
Elsewhere, third-placed d Lazio closed the gap on Inter Milan and Juventus at the top as they edged out Napoli 1-0.
The Roman side, whom Celtic dumped out of the Europa League, have remained in the hunt for a first Serie A title in 20 years.
And it was hero Ciro Immobile who kept them on track with a strike eight minutes from time.
● Spain legend Xavi is in talks to replace under-fire Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona manager.
The former playmaker, 39, is an icon at the Nou Camp and has long been tipped for a return as boss since quitting the club as a player in 2015. He joined Qatari club Al Saad and became head coach there last
May aafter hanging up his boots. Barca Bar are keen to bring Xavi back aas faith in Valverde has slippe slipped, with officials flying out to Doha to thrash out a deal, reportedly for two-and-a-half years.
Quizzed Quiz on the possibility of a move back to Catalonia, Xavi sa said: “Coaching Barca is my d dream, I cannot hide that and e everyone knows, but my focus is on Al Sadd. I want to have respect res for Valverde.”