Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brilliant physical condition has impressed Stefano Pioli, but the AC Milan boss still warned his star man he ‘will have to catch his breath’.
Ibrahimovic, who celebrated his 39th birthday earlier this month, took his tally up to six goals in three Serie A games on Monday night by bagging a brace in AC Milan’s 3-3 thriller against AS Roma.
The ageless Swede continues to defy the odds in the twilight phase of his career and is spearheading Milan’s charge for a first league title since 2011 – which, incidentally, was when he was last at the club prior to his return in January.
Such is Zlatan’s impact is that some high-profile figures in Italian football have hailed him as more influential than Cristiano Ronaldo.
But while Pioli is suitably impressed with Ibrahimovic’s brilliance, the Milan boss warned his star striker to conserve his energy amid the club’s congested schedule for this season.
“It is never easy to score so many goals at the beginning of the season, he is surprising me with his physical condition, also because he has made a particular preparation,” said the Italian as quoted on Goal.
“Then every now and then he too will have to catch his breath.”
Despite dropping points for the first time this season, Milan remain top of the Serie A standings on 13 points from five games.
The Rossoneri will next face Sparta Prague at home in their second Europa League game in Group H on Thursday.
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