Ibrahimovic: ‘Theo Hernandez moment not positive, but Milan improving’ | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits Theo Hernandez seeing red for diving was ‘not a positive moment’ and Milan ‘lacked maturity,’ but things are still ‘improving’ under Sergio Conceicao.

Satirical show Striscia La Notizia have for decades handed out the Tapiro d’Oro (Golden Tapir) to celebrities in the news who have cause to feel upset, because the tapir has a long face.

So following the elimination from the Champions League play-offs to Feyenoord at San Siro last night, it was handed out to Milan special advisor Ibrahimovic.

“We are disappointed and angry, so this award is entirely deserved,” Ibrahimovic told the crew from the television show as he clutched the Golden Tapir trophy.

Ibrahimovic on Milan capitulation

Referee Szymon Marciniak shows the red card to Theo Hernandez of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Theo Hernandez was sent off with a second bookable offence for diving in the penalty area, followed soon after by the Feyenoord equaliser that saw the Dutch side go through 2-1 on aggregate. So has Ibra given the left-back a telling off?

“It was not a positive moment. We lacked maturity yesterday, but now the objective is to remain united as a group for Serie A and the Coppa Italia.”

The interviewer, Valerio Staffelli, asked Ibrahimovic if Milan were planning to sack Sergio Conceicao as well just two months after getting rid of Paulo Fonseca.

“He is doing well and things have changed since he arrived. We are not yet at 100 per cent, but we are improving. We have full faith in him.”