Fans of AC Milan are fed up with the club's disappointing performances. The boos were clearly heard during the home defeat against Liverpool. Even Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not spared from criticism. Before the match, Zlatan responded in a way that only he can.
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Ibrahimovic has been under fire for several weeks, largely due to his absence during a crucial period of the season, which coincided with AC Milan's struggles on the pitch.
The Swedish forward, now serving as an advisor to the club, had missed several key games, fueling frustration among fans who were already disappointed with the team's lackluster performances. After a poor start to the Serie A campaign, with Milan sitting in tenth place after four matches, the atmosphere around the club became tense. The club's supporters, accustomed to Milan competing at the top, quickly turned against Ibrahimovic, blaming him for not being present to provide leadership.
On Tuesday, ahead of Milan's high-profile Champions League clash against Liverpool, Ibrahimovic made a rare public appearance on Sky Sports, where he addressed the criticism head-on. In typical Zlatan fashion, he dismissed the backlash with a confident, almost defiant, response.
"When the lion is away, the kittens come out," Ibrahimovic said, referring to himself as the "lion" and suggesting that his absence had allowed criticism to emerge. "Once the lion returns, the kittens disappear," he added, implying that his return would restore order and quiet his detractors. He explained that his absence had been for personal reasons, but made it clear that his authority within the club remained intact: "I am the boss, and everyone works for me, and we work in silence."
Ibrahimovic's comments were particularly pointed when he turned his attention to Zvonimir Boban, a former AC Milan player and director who was in the Sky Sports studio. Zlatan reiterated his point for Boban, adding with his trademark bravado, "One more time, so that Boban also understands: I am the boss."
Despite Ibrahimovic's confidence, Milan's season continued to falter. The team's poor form had already caused fans to contemplate protests, but a 4-0 victory over Venezia over the weekend temporarily eased tensions. However, any relief was short-lived, as Tuesday night brought a sobering 3-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Champions League. The loss at San Siro highlighted the team's ongoing struggles, both domestically and in Europe.
By the 75th minute of the match, with the result all but sealed, many disheartened Milan fans began to leave the stadium. Those who remained voiced their displeasure, chanting at the players to "show some courage." The frustration culminated in louder chants, accusing the team of bringing shame to the club. These protests, which started from the Curva Sud, the passionate core of Milan's support, underscored the growing divide between the team and its fans.
Milan's disappointing start to the season, compounded by the defeat to Liverpool, raised serious questions about the team's direction. For a club with such a storied history and a reputation for excellence, the situation was becoming increasingly dire, with supporters growing more vocal in their demands for change. Ibrahimovic's return, while symbolic, had yet to translate into tangible results on the field, leaving fans wondering if even the lion's presence could fix the problems at Milan.
Updated: 11:34, 18 Sep 2024
