Ibrahimovic: ‘Milan respect referees, ideal to win all 3 games’ | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists Milan ‘respect all referees’ after the Paulo Fonseca protest and the ‘target is to win all three’ remaining Champions League games.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Juventus-Manchester City and Benfica-Bologna on the Liveblog.

There was tension in the Milan camp following Friday’s 2-1 Serie A defeat to Atalanta, which saw coach Paulo Fonseca rant angrily about the refereeing.

“After the last game, they were disappointed, but they worked during the week, the spirit improved and I saw them in good shape,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.

“If we talk about referees, they have a big influence on games. We want to help and respect them. Obviously, the coach was fired up after the game and let loose a bit, but we ultimately respect all referees.”

Ibrahimovic on ideal Milan progress

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 03, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Rossoneri had the worst possible start to this European campaign, losing the first two games, but have since steadied the ship with three consecutive victories including away to Real Madrid.

Now they host an unpredictable Crvena Zvezda side, who in turn lost their opening four matches only to then crush VfB Stuttgart 5-1.

“The ideal is to win all three remaining games, so we can be in the top eight and miss the two play-off games, especially as we have a Serie A fixture against Bologna that is extra. It would be an extra strain on the players we’d prefer to avoid,” continued Ibrahimovic.

“It might seem simple on paper, but it is never easy and the players must treat this like a Final.”

Ibrahimovic was asked what he admires and what he dislikes about the current Milan squad.

“I like that the team is in my view stronger than last season, we have more quality players and are no longer so dependent on certain players. What I don’t like is the lack of balance, we need to be consistent in winning games and build that confidence with a run of victories.

“I have to be honest, I feel so powerless to help the team, it’s very different to when I am on the pitch. Obviously, everyone has his own character and attitude, we try to push them to give their best. The important thing is for them to challenge themselves, because the way I see it, performances in games come from what you do in training.

“They are professionals, they know what they need to do and we have faith in them.”

Thiago Silva was present on the pitch at San Siro to salute his former fans and teammate.

“I wrote the other day I was not worried when I was playing at my Milan, because I had Thiago Silva in defence. He was the Zlatan Ibrahimovic of the defence! I told him to keep playing as long as he can, because once you stop, you cannot go back,” joked Zlatan.

“We worked together at PSG too, but I can’t forgive him for taking me away from Milan the first time!”