'Zlatan gets really angry when he loses', says Calhanoglu

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s relentless desire means failure isn’t an option even when it comes to training games, says Hakan Calhanoglu.

Re-signing Zlatan last January coincided with an upturn in fortunes for AC Milan last season. Not only did they re-establish themselves in the Serie A top-six, but they’ve been the best in-form team post-lockdown.

The big Swede had a role in extending the Rossoneri’s unbeaten run to 15 matches in all competitions on Monday night by bagging both goals in a 2-0 victory over Bologna.

His exploits at the San Siro took his tally up to 14 goals in 22 appearances since returning to the club.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 2 goals for AC Milan tonight means that he has now scored in 23 consecutive seasons and in 4 separate decades!

Incredible! 👑 pic.twitter.com/1b17aX1wQI

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 21, 2020

But aside from Ibrahimovic’s impressive goalscoring exploits, Calhanoglu revealed how the 38-year-old striker’s winning mentality has impacted the squad.

The Turkish midfielder explained to Goal and DAZN: “Zlatan has so many ideas that he wants to implement with us on the pitch.

“All of his experience helps us further and, above all, his unconditional will to win. It starts with training.

“Zlatan wants to win every little training game himself, is very ambitious and gets really angry when he loses.”

Quizzed on his relationship with Ibra, Calhanoglu revealed: “Zlatan knew me and my qualities even before his return. He always asks me to play freely, not to think too much and always to be 100 percent focused.

“He also always tells me that my body is my capital.

“He passes on his experiences to me. On the pitch, I just know how he moves and he knows my routes.”