Sunday Mirror

TAKE ZLAT He’s back and on target for Milan

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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVI­C scored his first goal for AC Milan since rejoining the Italian club.

The veteran Swedish striker, who joined the Rossoneri for a second time on a six-month deal last month, swept in a finish on 64 minutes.

He also had another goal ruled out for offside in an eyecatchin­g display.

Ibrahimovi­c, 38, has now scored a top-flight senior goal in four different decades.

“It’s important for a striker to score – sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t,” he said. “I feel good, I got a few things wrong at the start of the game, but I need a few matches to get into top form.

“The coach thinks about my age but it’s not a problem. My mind is still sharp and the body must follow.”

Ibrahimovi­c is a San Siro favourite after scoring 42 goals in 61 league games for the club between 2010 and 2012.

And he was back on the scoresheet after Milan coach Stefano Pioli selected Ibrahimovi­c alongside Rafael Leao in attack.

The ex-Manchester United frontman first came close in the first half when his header was tipped onto the foot of the post by Cagliari keeper Robin

Olsen. The visitors broke through within a minute of the restart when Leao latched onto a long Samu Castillejo pass and saw his low effort loop over Olsen and into the net after taking a big deflection.

Ibrahimovi­c capped an impressive performanc­e with a goal midway through the second half, when he directed a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

He thought he had a second in the closing stages when he headed home a cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

It was AC Milan’s first win since early December although they still remain well behind league leaders Inter Milan.

 ??  ?? THANKS Lazio’s Immobile salutes the home fans
BARCELONA forward Luis Suarez is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he undergoes another bout of knee surgery.
Barca said Suarez would be operated on today by Spanish surgeon Dr Ramon Cugat for an injury to the external meniscus on his right knee.
Suarez, 32, had surgery on the same knee last May.
THANKS Lazio’s Immobile salutes the home fans BARCELONA forward Luis Suarez is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he undergoes another bout of knee surgery. Barca said Suarez would be operated on today by Spanish surgeon Dr Ramon Cugat for an injury to the external meniscus on his right knee. Suarez, 32, had surgery on the same knee last May.
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 ??  ?? THE MAIN MAN Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c scores his second half goal for AC Milan against Cagliari
THE MAIN MAN Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c scores his second half goal for AC Milan against Cagliari
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