Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke at a press conference on the eve of Milan-Feyenoord. The Senior Advisor of RedBird for AC Milan touched on many topics.

Tomorrow, the Rossoneri will play for a spot in the Champions League round of 16 and must overturn the result of the first leg to progress.

Milan, Ibrahimovic’s words

Crucial fans tomorrow…

"It’s a rare situation for me to be here, the coach is returning from Portugal. For tomorrow: our fans are important, their fans pushed a lot in Rotterdam. But I am confident that tomorrow with 80,000 Milan fans in the stadium and those around the world will give the maximum support to the team, which then must take this energy to do the best possible."

What explanation do you give for Milan’s ups and downs?

"Low moments come. Being at the top every day is not easy, but in the long run, you have to work on it; we are working on the mentality, on team matters. Even in non-wow moments, that mentality comes out. I talk to the players every day, we try to find solutions, but there shouldn’t be too much information: if you talk to the players every day, in the end things don’t get through. It’s like telling your wife you love her every day, but you have to show it with actions."

What does the team need to do tomorrow?

"Concentrated, aggressive, concrete. They must enter with a final mentality. It is important to play well, but it is more important to win. We need to get a result to progress. We are down by one goal, we need to get a result to progress. Everyone needs to push their teammate and make them focused. It is a collective thing that starts with some individuality. Even those on the bench must push, it all connects to the collective. This is what makes a group and makes a team."

Tomorrow’s game is also decisive for the club.

"For me personally important, because I am a winner and I want to win. I want to bring results. I’m not someone who tries to do things well that won’t stay in history, but the opposite: I try to make a difference to write history. To make history, you have to win. That’s Milan. If you look at the history of the Champions League, Milan has written history. And we want to continue. We push from the outside, we help."

Is Gimenez on the right track?

"We expect a lot from the new players. Joao Felix can do even more. Gimenez is the one who can grow and become even stronger. Then there are Bondo and Sottil who can still grow. The club expects a lot from the new ones. I have already told them to take space because we cannot wait: they must come in immediately and shift the balance. That’s what we’re doing."

Galliani always said: ‘Players only have to think about football, we’ll take care of the rest.’ That’s what we do. Gimenez was missing, for quality in front of goal, he’s a killer, but he also has to run because with the coach if you don’t run, you don’t play. He has to be like in the last game: be there at the right time. A ball can come from anywhere, even from Maignan, and he has to be ready and focused.

Are you a mental coach?

"I’m a backup for everything, I’m a reserve. Jokes aside: the coach is not here, he had a personal loss. I’m helping Milan."

You have been seen often close to the team…

"I was also there in the summer at the press conferences for new signings. With Fonseca, we talked every day, we were present at Milanello. We’re doing it now too. Today is a rare situation, just like after Verona. Nothing has changed, we’re all working."

The most dangerous opponent for the Champions League?

"Things change every week. We are focused on ourselves. Every game is a final for us, like tomorrow. In my opinion, those ahead of us, everyone is doing everything to reach the quarter-finals. It will be a battle until the end."

Are you talking to Real about Jimenez?

"In the summer, I said he would be Theo’s deputy, then with patience, he arrived. There is a buy-back clause, but we have a good relationship with Real. There are no discussions today. There are Camarda, Jimenez, Bartesaghi, Torriani, Zeroli at Monza, Cuenca at Genoa, Stalmach in Germany, Liberali made his debut: this is our strategy. I’m sorry he’s not on the Champions League list, but he will be next year."

How is ownership approaching this appointment?

"We talk every day with Cardinale: he’s very involved, charged, he wants success with Milan. He gives strength to everyone, gives confidence."

Is there adrenaline in Theo?

"These moments are special. It’s all about one game. Everyone has their approach to do their best. I was more focused, I didn’t need superstitions or other things: I had confidence. Theo is no longer a kid. He was when I arrived, now he has grown and is one of the best in the world. He knows what he has to do to bring out the best. He has to find the trigger point to reach a high level. And this is difficult as a player. You have to find that button to charge yourself. Everyone said I was always angry, but it was to charge myself."

Should Leao return to defense?

"Everyone talks about Leao, everyone tells him how to play. He is one of the best in the world. So he knows how to play. You can tell him tactically where to be, you can push him to run more, but it’s all tactical stuff. How to play you don’t explain: he explains it. He is himself and he is one of the best players in the world. Rest assured, Leao knows what he is doing."

Tomorrow without Italians.

"We have looked for Italians, only we have not been able to close. We got Sottil. We want Italian players, but every situation is different. We try to bring the best players to Milan. When you are at Milan, no one has a guaranteed spot, there is always someone next to you who can take your place. And if there isn’t, then you bring them from outside, Italian or foreign. We look for profiles that can fit at Milan. There are many great players, but when you play in front of 80,000 people, it’s different.

I have seen many players who have not been able to play at Milan, then they went to other places and did well. When you’re at Milan, you have to bring results. That’s why Milan players become legends: because they bring results and trophies. We have our eyes on many Italians, but as you say, the Italian market is different. But we’re not afraid, if it’s right, we do it."

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