The Milan manager reveals Zlatan’s recovery process has been slower than initially expected.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered an Achilles injury during Milan’s goalless draw against Juventus on January 23. The Swedish started his lengthy recovery since then, with Olivier Giroud covering up for his absence.
Milan signed a one-year deal with Zlatan last year, meaning he will become a free agent next summer.
While retaining his excellent goalscoring stats, the 40-year-old’s struggles for fitness has increased recently. He has started only 12 games for the Rossoneri this season while having several injury setbacks.
Ahead of his side’s upcoming match against Udinese, Milan manager Stefano Pioli spoke about Zlatan’s current situation.
“[His future] would be a question for Zlatan,” Pioli told reporters. “His will is very important.
“As I know him, for the determination he has, for the ambition he has and for the desire he has to help the team, I am convinced that he would want to continue playing.
“His condition is improving, albeit a little slower than we expected, but he is better.
“His path is day by day – you have to understand how the tendon responds when he starts to run. Between today and tomorrow, he will return to running on the grass; in these days he has done individual work and ran on the sand.”
Milan are leading the Serie A table with a two-point clearance ahead of reigning champions Inter. The Rossoneri will face Udinese in their next league game on Friday.
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