Former AC Milan striker Jose Altafini believes that Zlatan Ibrahimovic should no longer start games for the Rossoneri but rather should have a very specific role.
Altafini is a man who knows what it takes to win as he appeared for Milan during the late 1950s into the mid 60s, winning two Serie A titles and a European Cup. He often returns to talking about his former side, and he has shared a strong opinion on Ibrahimovic during an interview with Tuttosport.
“I think that Milan should only use him in the last half-hour of games. He should no longer be played from the start,” he said (via FIF).
“Against Udinese, you could see him struggling to get into the game from the start. He wasn’t able to do his best in certain situations in the game.
“However, at the end of the game he was able to take advantage of his tiring opponents and this is how he should play from now on.”
Across Serie A and the Champions League this season, Ibrahimovic played 14 games, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists to his team-mates. However, an interesting part of this is that the 40-year-old has not scored in two matches in a row, and what better way to brush that aside than to follow up the crucial equaliser in Udine with a goal against Napoli.
With Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic and Pietro Pellegri all out against Luciano Spalletti’s side, the Swede will work overtime in carrying the attack on his shoulders. Olivier Giroud could return, but Ibra is the comfort blanket.
A former player who is 83 years old …. What does he know about today’s football? He may well have what opinion he wants, just like me, but leave no room for his possible opinion other than what I get, for the great mass his opinion is not so interesting that he should be given space in Semper Milan other than as any other … me e.g.
In addition, it is the case that Zlatan has to start the match to get his big “engine” started and it seems that Pioli has found out about late sides …