Ibrahimovic feels Leao learning like he did with Capello | OneFootball

Milan consultant Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Rafael Leao is going through the same ‘process’ he did with Fabio Capello at Juventus, but he expects players to be ‘professional.’

The game with Club Brugge kicks off at San Siro at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Juventus-VfB Stuttgart and Aston Villa-Bologna on the Liveblog.

The pressure is already on the Rossoneri to deliver after losing both their opening Champions League fixtures against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.

“I am seeing a team that is improving, there is more balance. We need more stability, but we are working on it and doing everything to achieve that. Unfortunately, we paid a heavy price for some errors,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is true that we don’t have any Champions League points yet, so it is important to win today.”

Paulo Fonseca was forced to deal with controversy in the media after a recent ‘rebellion’ from some players over penalty duties and a general lack of discipline leading to red cards. Has Ibrahimovic been keeping away from the training ground to give the coach more responsibility?

“We’re working the same way as before, we have not changed anything. Fonseca is the coach, he has to be himself. He makes the decisions and some things need to be resolved in house. They are adults, they are professionals and are taking responsibility.”

Ibrahimovic advice for Rafael Leao

epa11576502 Milan’s Rafael Leao reactsafter scoring the goal during the Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 31 August 2024. EPA-EFE/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI

In the Sky Sport Italia studio, Billy Costacurta said that he had now ‘lowered expectations’ that Rafael Leao will ever take a step up to the next level.

However, fellow pundit Capello told Ibrahimovic that certain things can be improved, for example his shooting.

“I too had bad shots before I met Fabio Capello, then I got better. That’s all the work you do in training and then you bring the results to the match situation. Rafa is working, he is trying to improve and it’s a process,” assured Ibra.

“Some situations are dynamic, they are not all predictable. When they happen in a few seconds, everyone reacts in their own way. Some have more experience, but what we ask is for discipline and to be professional on the field.”

Ibrahimovic was asked what the target Milan had put into their budget for the Champions League, but he didn’t entirely understand or accept the question.

“We created a team capable of doing well in both Italy and the Champions League, so we want to go as far as possible. If we do not win, then nobody is satisfied. Do you mean intended objectives or financial? Milan are fine financially, the numbers are positive and obviously the further along you go in the Champions League, the more it gives back.

“On the sporting level, I want to win and like to win, but either way it’s positive.”