BEVERLY HILLS, November 01, (THEWILL) – 39-year-old prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic shows no signs of slowing down. The Swede continued his remarkable goal-scoring streak with an acrobatic late strike to secure Milan a 2-1 win over Udinese. The result means the Rossoneri’s unbeaten run in all competitions stretches to 24 games.
Stefano Pioli’s men looked headed for an underwhelming draw with a side that had won only one of their first five Serie A games. But for Ibrahimovic who became the first Milan player to score in six successive league appearances since he accomplished the feat in 2012.
The striker, who had scored braces in each of his previous three league outings, had already made a telling contribution in setting up Ivorian Franck Kessie’s empathic opener.
In truth, Milan established control early and were in front by the 18th minute. Ibrahimovic brought Algerian central midfielder Ismael Bennacer’s pass down on his chest in the box and holding off right midfielder Jens Stryger Larsen, teed up Kessie on the edge of the area.
A few minutes later, they were fortunate to not have their lead wiped out. Ex-Milan Spanish left winger Gerard Deulofeu sliced high but wide of the target after being fed into the box on the break.
Udinese had a penalty shout just before the interval, when centre forward Stefano Okaka went to ground, tumbling from an Ibrahimovic tackle right in front of goal. The referee did not consider it worthy of a spot kick.
Udinese had some good fortune at the start of the second half, however, as Juve centre back Alessio Romagnoli was punished for fouling Argentine central attacking midfielder Ignacio Pussetto in the area, although replays showed he got a touch on the ball. Udinese Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul blasted the resulting penalty past Juve keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
And just when it looked like the sides were going to settle for a point apiece, Milan took the win. With just seven minutes of regulation time left, Croatian winger Ante Rebic’s cross was cleared into the air by Sebastien De Maio the French centre back and Ibrahimovic produced an eye-catching acrobatic bicycle kick to beat Udinese keeper Juan Musso from a few yards out.
Milan were not at their creative best but to their credit they kept plugging away. Ibrahimovic’s winner arguably proves that the man knows how to walk the walk. At 39, he has achieved a goalscoring feat only managed twice before as he netted for a sixth Serie A game in succession, and was also integral for the opener.
Milan host Lille on Thursday night in some UEFA Europa League action before another hosting again in Serie A where they welcome Hellas Verona to the San Siro on Sunday. Udinese travel to Sassuolo on Friday for their next Serie A encounter.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
