Zlatan Ibrahimovic Goes on, Almost Scores within Seconds But Match Ends in 0-0 Draw
AC Milan vs U.C. Sampdoria ended without a goal, even with Zlatan making his first appearance for his new, old team.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now an American soccer fan favorite and many of us who live in the Red, White, and Blue woke up to watch AC Milan and their new transfer, the greatest “Swedish” GOAT, take the field.
The AC Milan vs Sampdoria match disappointed. Especially as a start for the second half of the season.
Making his first appearance for the once a highly successful club, Zlatan was unable to score for the seven-time European champion. This season, AC Milan is in the middle of the pack and was close to the relegation zone. Zlatan is predicted to help the team.
68 percent possession, 297 passes, and Zlatan and it still did not add up to a goal for AC Milan.
The former LA Galaxy superstar recently professed his passion for AC Milan, the club he has just rejoined, debunking recent rumors that he was nothing more than a Rossoneri mascot. Hailed for his days playing for Manchester United, at 38-years-old, Zlatan is still an amazing striker and AC Milan fans are hoping his self-proclaimed greatness can help the aging club.
Playing in Milan’s famed San Siro stadium, with fans packed in waiting for a goal, Zlatan made his first appearance for his new team. Coming on as a second-half substitute for Krzysztof Piatek in the 55th minute, Ibrahimovic had two headers but neither found the back of the net. Looking to galvanize his team, he also made pin perfect passes but his teammates could not score either.
This match did end better than their embarrassing 5-0 loss against Atalanta.
The Zlatan Impact: There was a Ray of Promise
After years of disappointment on the pitch, AC Milan fans may now have new hope. There was a renewed excitement after Zlatan entered the match. Chances came more freely with Zlatan on the field, the energy had changed and attacks on Sampdoria‘s goal increased, but it was too late.
Fans were expecting more. Zlatan had scored 42 goals when he was with AC Milan from 2010 to 2012 and everyone hoped that he would make the difference today.
Zlatan had told media, “I’m ready, I feel more than alive, I hope to play immediately,” in a press conference at a friendly match last week.
“I’m looking for the last bit of adrenaline I might have. At my age, you’re not looking for anything else but a challenge.”
This may be more of a top-rated challenge than he wants in his six-month deal.
Known worldwide for his swagger, Zlatan comes back to AC Milan after scoring 52 goals for LA Galaxy in 56 MLS. Zlatan joined the MLS in March 2018 for a record to $7.2 million and his return to professional European soccer in 2010 proves there is life after playing soccer in America.
If fans want to relive the memory of Zlatan’s first MLS Goal …
One thing is for certain, this former Sweden international is bringing new eyes to Italy’s Serie A and AC Milan.
