Ibrahimovic impresses with brace on return from injury

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return and brace helped AC Milan continue their recovery from their only league loss two weeks ago, as they defeated Cagliari at home 2-0.

“I’m Santa Claus, I’m the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children: two are in Sweden and the other 25 at Milanello,”

Indeed the 39-year-old has been a massive push to the Milan project, and it all showed Monday night against Cagliari where he played the role of the leader and perhaps even like a father.

The Devils were hit hard by the absence of regular starters and key players in Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic, Ismael Bennacer and Matteo Gabbia

The Milan talisman was part of that list all until recently where he recovered from a challenging injury. Against Cagliari, he made his first league start in almost two months and played until the last whistle.

And one can go as far as saying that his presence compensated for the rest of the absences. His return gave confidence to his teammates and an air of boldness to their play, the Swedish made sure to make his best to recover where needed, was spotted dropping deep but also making runs in behind all while making pressing sprints in the 88^th minute and important tackles till the end.

Ibrahimovic was quick to mark his coming back, as he smartly put his body in front of Cagliari defender Charalampos Lykogiannis at the right time to win a penalty.

Seven minutes in and the veteran was back to hunt for the Capocannoniere. That makes it the seventh consecutive time he scored against Gli Isolani, finding the net every time he played against them since 2008 with both Milan clubs.

The lack of starters’ effect was obvious, the league leaders facing the second worse defense in the league and rarely breaking through.

In fact, Stefano Pioli was told on Saturday that he will be missing his best provider in midfielder Calhanoglu (one goal-six assists) and creative and forward-minded left-back Theo Hernandez (four goals-three assists) due to positive Covid-19 tests. The pair’s involvement combined represents a third of the Rossoneri’s Serie A goals.

As the first half’s end approached, Milan’s lead was everything but certain. They managed only two attempts on target despite a shot that found the left post from Davide Calabria.

The visitors were struggling for creativity as build-up was challenging, Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie were unable to become decent passing options for the defensive line at times.

The absence of Calhanoglu meant that there was going to be less energy and pace to the transition, while the suspension of Leao decreased the pace on the flanks as Samu Castillejo and Jens Petter Hauge were far from capable of the same speed and strength as the Portuguese, author of five goals and four assists.

However, they were grateful for Ibrahimovic’s name in the lineup as he was able to drop and play as the target man to get through the lines.

The second half was more enthusiastic from Milan, they managed a goal five minutes in. Ibrahimovic completing his fifth brace of the campaign as he was found by Calabria with a gracious long ball into the box and converted it early on in the second 45.

It is worth noting that the Italian has improved massively, being a joker for his boss, playing in defensive midfield when needed and performs in his natural position as well. Finding the net two times and now adding an assist to his name. Moreover, leading the league with the most tackles per game at an impressive 3.7 showing up for his work ethic and attitude.

That goal made Ibra level up with Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku and Lazio’s Ciro Immobile as the league’s joint second top scorer. Only that the former PSG forward found the net 12 times in an impressive eight games.

Pioli’s men doubling the lead made this side just a little more similar to the fit one with the regular starters as they were boosted with confidence and comfort. They were able to hold on to the solid lead and seal the three points in the face of an increase in intensity and a few scares in the box.

In spite of making it an important win to continue the decent rebound since their first defeat, two games ago, and the three points to remain at the top. Pioli will have some more thinking to do ahead of their next game against Atalanta, with Alexis Saelemaekers sent off and Alessio Romagnoli receiving a yellow card making him suspended for the upcoming weekend clash at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Cagliari are still in the hunt for their first win since the 7^th of November, one that they are in dire need of as they are one point away from the relegation zone.

There is still time in the season, though they risk the loss of their star players in the summer or even during this transfer window, with the likes of Joao Pedro having ten goals under his belt and leading the side to their very few signs of hope.

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