The AC Milan boss hailed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s impact since rejoining the team in January.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic may near his forties, but he continues to set the world alight with some scintillating performances for AC Milan.
Fresh from a goal-laden spell at LA Galaxy, Zlatan has helped transform Milan’s fortunes with the club unbeaten in 10 league games. Therefore, they’ve moved into the top-six.
The 38-year-old striker, meanwhile, has managed seven goals and four assists in 16 league games, proving why Milan must go all-out to retain him next season.
And speaking ahead of Milan’s game against Sampdoria tonight, Pioli outlined other key areas that Zlatan has impacted on.
“Ibra has improved us in many ways on the pitch, giving us solutions we didn’t previously have,” said Pioli, according to Goal.
“He has an important presence both physically and technically and creates a lot of space for his team-mates. Regarding his personality and character, he was definitely decisive.”
Last Friday’s 1-1 draw against Atalanta, on the other hand, left Milan four points behind fifth-place AS Roma with two games left.
“We have to believe we can catch them,” continued Pioli.
“We don’t have much time and it is not just up to us.”
“We are focused on tomorrow’s game against Sampdoria, who know how to cover the field well. We will have to be at our best. Winning is the only way we can have any hope. Then we will wait for Roma’s result [against Torino]. I’ll ask my players for one final effort.”