Paolo Di Canio believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic is creating problems for Milan on the pitch due to a fading clinical ability, according to a recent interview.
Speaking to il Corriere dello Sport (quoted by MilanLive) Di Canio criticised the 40-year-old for missing too many chances on goal, to the detriment of teammates. He revealed his belief though that the Rossoneri are doing a very good job with what they have at their disposal.
Ibrahimovic has battled fitness issues this season and is a doubt for Saturday’s derby, but has still managed eight goals from 15 Serie A appearances, adding experience to a youthful squad. However, there is also an interesting paradox whereby most of Milan’s numbers are better when he does not start.
“Ibra is a champion, this is out of the question. Nobody can tell him anything. But until a few years ago he missed two out of twenty balls played, now he misses eighteen,” Di Canio said.
“It is a problem because when he loses the ball he puts his team-mates in difficulty who suffer the restarts of the opponents. This is no longer a coincidence, it happens often.
“He will surely continue to be good at scissor kicks, at headers, at controlling with his chest, but this is a team that still has fifteen games to face.
“Giroud? He does not even have the ability that Ibra has to drop deeper. The point is that when Zlatan ducks, no one goes to occupy those eighteen metres of void. Leão is a rare talent who doesn’t often go without the ball. Let it be clear, however, that Milan are achieving fantastic results with the technical resources they have.”
With the Milan derby looming on Saturday night, it remains to be seen whether Pioli opts to select Giroud given he seems to be in better physical condition, while he also has a good scoring record in home starts whereas Ibrahimovic has not netted at San Siro since September.
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Ibra should play from the bench, Giroud and Rebić should start but Rebić more of a false 9.
He is a 100% right on Ibra , Giroud and Leao. Also in 3 years i am yet to see Leao compete or win an aerial duel, he doesn’t even tries, during set pieces he stays outside of the box even though he is one of the tallest players on the pitch