Pioli plays down Ibrahimovic anger over substitution

Stefano Pioli said he needed to manage Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Milan star looked angry at being substituted against Bologna.

Ibrahimovic provided an assist before being taken off just after the hour-mark of the 5-1 Serie A victory at San Siro on Saturday.

The 38-year-old appeared annoyed at being substituted, but coach Pioli said he was simply managing Ibrahimovic.

“He said something, but honestly I didn’t understand. It’s also normal,” he told DAZN.

“I have to manage him, playing so much I need everyone to be well.”

Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismael Bennacer, Ante Rebic and Davide Calabria were on the scoresheet for Milan.