Ibrahimovic: Milan believe in Scudetto push but it´s long season

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Milan believe in their Serie A title credentials after extending their stellar start to the season by beating Roma, but the evergreen star admitted there is a long way to go.

Milan defeated Roma 2-1 at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, with Ibrahimovic opening the scoring with a 25th-minute free-kick, marking the 400th league goal of his career – 150 of those coming in Serie A.

The 40-year-old Swede earned his side a penalty for their second goal, with Franck Kessie converting from the spot in the 57th minute, before Stephan El Shaarawy’s late consolation.

The win means Milan have 31 points from 11 Serie A games, sitting behind leaders Napoli only on goal difference.

Milan became the fourth team in Serie A history to win 10 of the first 11 games of the season, after Roma, Juventus (twice) and Napoli (twice). 

“We’ll try. We believe in this, we’ve done well so far, but it’s a long season and we must continue to be consistent in our work,” Ibrahimovic told DAZN after the game about their title aspirations.

“We believe, but it’s early days. Take it one game at a time.”

The Rossoneri last lifted the Scudetto in 2010-11, enduring several lean years before last season’s runners-up finish.

Milan, who face rivals and champions Inter next, have only dropped points in the league this season away to Juventus, while Roma had been unbeaten at home prior to Sunday’s win.

“It was a great performance, we played with a lot of confidence and our style,” Ibrahimovic said after scoring his fourth direct free-kick in Serie A and first since January 2012.

“We knew it wasn’t easy, Roma were unbeaten at home this season, but we played really well and must continue with this belief and tempo.”

Mr Majestic has done it again #RomaMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/BLniXNYqXT

— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 31, 2021

The former Sweden international has now scored 11 goals against Roma in Serie A, making them his favourite opponent in the competition.

Ibrahimovic was jeered by the home fans throughout the contest in the Italian capital, but said it provided added motivation for him.

“I need the jeers, the more they jeer, the more alive I feel. Adrenaline brings so much,” he said as Milan became the third team in Serie A history to win 15 away games in a calendar year, following Napoli in 2017 (18) and Juventus in 2018 (15).

“We want to win, especially when playing such a big game and a man down. We showed we’ve all got character and can suffer under pressure too. The lads put in a great performance.”