Ibrahimovic: ‘Milan need same mentality’ in big and small games | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic warns Milan must ‘find the same concentration’ against Slovan Bratislava as when facing Real Madrid in the Champions League, while the door is open for January reinforcements.

It kicks off at the Narodny Futbalovy Stadion at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Inter-RB Leipzig and Young Boys-Atalanta on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri are expected to pick up all three points in Slovakia against a side that scored only two goals and conceded 15 in four consecutive Champions League defeats.

It adds further pressure onto the shoulders of coach Paulo Fonseca, who is missing suspended Alvaro Morata and rested Rafael Leao in favour of Noah Okafor.

“The team must find the same concentration it had against Madrid and other big performances, because every game is important and if you want to achieve the targets we want, you need to maintain the same focus and level,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.

Milan showed they were still capable of remarkable results in a 3-1 victory away to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, but were also held to a 3-3 draw by Cagliari and the dismal 0-0 stalemate with Juventus on Saturday.

“In a few matches we had the wrong approach, but we held meetings with the squad, they know what they must do and to find that click allowing them to keep it going,” continued Ibrahimovic.

“This is totally different, as on Saturday it was a very closed tactical match with few chances, the opponents did not allow us to create opportunities. This is totally different and we hope to bring home a different result too.”

Ibrahimovic keeping Milan on their toes

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 05: Malick Thiaw of AC Milan (obscured) scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Real Madrid C.F. and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 05, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Are Milan chiefs including Ibrahimovic satisfied with the way the season is going so far?

“We have faith, we are working every day and obviously we want to say wow at every match, but we all have the same objectives. There is no secret other than hard work.”

The biggest problems have been in defence, so are Milan planning to bring in any new players for that area in the January transfer window?

“It is the whole team that has to help out the defence, not just blame the defenders. It’s true our defence hasn’t been 100 per cent what we wanted. As for January, let us not forget Bennacer is coming back to the midfield next week and will be a big reinforcement with his qualities,” continued senior advisor Ibrahimovic.

“After this game, there are another seven, then the Supercoppa Italiana, so there are many matches to play. We are always looking around in case we need anything, we are in constant dialogue with the coach on what we might require or not.”