Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's team talk that inspired AC Milan to their latest win

mirror.co.uk, 9 May 2022, 06:19
AC Milan are closing in on their first Serie A title in 11 years and can thank Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his impact on and off the pitch after a crucial win against Hellas Verona on Sunday AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired his team to victory at half-time

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been credited with boosting his team's morale when they needed it most as AC Milan came from behind to beat Hellas Verona 3-1 on Sunday.

The result puts Rossoneri two points ahead of Inter Milan in the battle for the Scudetto with just two games to go and the title race set to go down to the wire. If they go on to clinch the trophy, it will be the first time since 2011 that they would have lifted it.

But they nearly fell behind at the weekend after going a goal down to Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi Stadium after 38 minutes. After Inter had already won on Friday against Empoli, it meant that Stefano Pioli's men needed a win to retain their two-point lead in Serie A.

On the cusp of half-time, Sandro Tonali equalised to give the visitors hope but it was Ibrahimovic's rousing words that geared up the Milanese to go on and claim all three points. Just moments after the break, Tonali scored his second before Alessandro Florenzi put the game to bed with five minutes to go.

Pioli has since revealed what Ibrahimovic said, explaining after the match: "We knew there was no tomorrow, there was only today. Ibrahimovic said something wonderful: 'Everyone remembers the Milan players who won the Scudetto or the Champions League, so if we want to be remembered, we've got three games to do it.'"

Have your say! Who will win Serie A this season? Comment below

Ibrahimovic has not had the same impact in front of goal as he did last year, when he scored 15 times in 19 appearances. Instead, the 40-year-old has just eight in 22, but his impact has stretched beyond hitting the back of the net with his leadership and presence.

AC Milan have dark history with Verona, where they have choked at their stadium before. In 1973 and 1990, they lost in both years to famously lose their chance to win the title in crushing blows for the club.

But there was no such repeat here and the San Siro outfit know that if they manage four points from their remaining two matches, they will be crowned champions. The Diavolo host Atalanta on May 15 before taking on Sassuolo on May 22.

Even if they finish level on points with their biggest rivals, Milan will still win the title having a better head-to-head record this season agains Inter. Simone Inzaghi's men have an extra game to contend with as well.

Inter face Juventus next in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday night, meaning they could end the season with a double. Their opponents have had a difficult season despite the return of Massimiliano Allegri.

A stuttering start has proved detrimental and they look set to finish fourth behind Napoli, a stark decline from the side that won nine Scudettos in a row. The problems arose last year when Andrea Pirlo joined despite no managerial experience and they went from champions to nearly missing out on the Champions League.

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to end a sobering run of form at their Black Country base, West Bromwich Albion will welcome Norwich City to The Hawthorns for a Championship match on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has revealed that he 'decided not to sulk' when being exiled from the first-team squad by Enzo Maresca. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford will look to pick up their first away points of the season when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to continue their respective unbeaten runs, Millwall and league leaders Sunderland will clash for a tasty-looking Championship battle at The Den on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season, will travel to The Smisa Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face St Mirren. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Heading back to his old stomping ground for a weekend, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca takes his Blues team to the King Power Stadium for a Premier League lunchtime date with Leicester City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With three points separating them in the bottom half of the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City will do battle at Hillsborough on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has jumped to the defence of his backline ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture at Leicester City. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City head coach Steve Cooper could be without as many as five attackers for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to halt their worrying winless run, Preston North End will welcome Derby County to Deepdale for an all-important Championship clash on Saturday afternoon in Lancashire. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is of the opinion that Leicester City hold the advantage ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Rio Ferdinand was left stunned after learning that he almost became teammates with Robert Lewandowski at Manchester United. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed yet another injury to the luckless Reece James ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League fixture against Leicester City. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers, aiming to build consistent form after a challenging start to the season, host Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly identified Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez as their leading forward target for next summer, with the Red Devils believed to have put a plan in place to sign the Argentina international. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kicking off the return of Premier League action after the international break, Leicester City and Chelsea butt heads at the King Power Stadium on Saturday lunchtime. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Enzo Maresca has revealed that Chelsea captain Reece James has been dealt another injury blow. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with yet another hamstring injury. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon are reportedly expecting Manchester United to make an attempt to sign Geovany Quenda next year, with the Green and Whites facing a huge battle to keep hold of the in-demand youngster. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Oxford United play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them away from the relegation zone. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bristol City play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship table.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon