Milan is the only one who infiltrated Ibrahimovic's armor - and now it is his turn to return her love • Tonight (21:45) he will meet Inter, and there is nothing like the big derby to launch the Rosoneri again towards the summit

• Zlatan celebrates. Unite the whole red side of Milan

  Photo:

  IP

A quick glance at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's career stations is enough to teach us that the Swedish was not supposed to return to Milan in January. Zlatan was already on the red-black side of Milan eight years ago, and what his career taught us is that Zlatan never goes back. He arrives, leaves a seal, moves on. From Sweden to the Netherlands, then to Italy, Spain, France, England, and when the continent was over, he jumped from Europe and conquered America.

Zlatan never returned, never leaving sentiments behind. Only a man of his kind can acquire percent of the Amaravi, the great rival of the team in which he started his career from Elmo, and receive equanimously the destruction of the statue in his image. According to this pattern of behavior, the next Swedish station after the Los Angeles Galaxy was supposed to be the M.S. Moon, but the Swedish chose Milan, again.

Zlatan. Fertile soil to plant the effect // Photo: AFP

So what happened to Zlatan straying away and turning back? First of all, love. Milan is probably the only team that has managed to penetrate Zlatan's armor, and before the 38-year-old Swedish career came to an end, he knew that only she could squeeze the last few drops of adrenaline left. "It's no secret that I spent the beautiful seasons in Milan in my career," he told Vanity Fair in November, "Milan made me smile and I want to give her back for what she gave me."

The fact that this Milan is far from 2012's Milan has further facilitated the return. Thanks to her predicament Zlatan has only seemingly returned to the team he was in for the first time in his career. In fact, he returned to another place. Eight years after leaving a lively group there, he returned to find a group in crisis. For Zlatan, it's fertile ground to plant the effect.

Milan players around the Swedish. Take the maximum out of everyone // Photo: AFP

Love challenges

"Zlatan effect" or "Ibera effect", is the term that the Swede has made in the group since arriving. In numbers, this is a draw and five consecutive wins in all frames, sending Rosoneri into the Ivy Cup semi-final against Juventus. Acts is a lot more. Zlatan's contribution may begin with two goals and a massive presence in the opponent's square, but continue with the smaller stuff. At 38, Ibrahimovic is an experienced and mature player, who understands his place and role, aware of his power and influence. He takes care of the young players, a guide and an assistant, and in fact his presence has led to an improvement in the ability of his teammates. "I used to play with him on PlayStation and today I cook him goals," wrote his friend Rafael Lao on Instagram.

Zlatan celebrates in front of Inter at the beginning of the decade // Photo: IP

When coach Stefano Fioli was asked to explain what the Zlatan effect was, he replied: "He has added value. He also contributes a lot to us with the games and the professionalism he demonstrates every day. He is a champion.
Exactly what Milan had been looking for this figure ever since Zlatan left - someone great to understand her greatness. Over the years, she spent a lot of money on procurement for that goal, but either brought in players who weren't good enough or the good players she brought in - check out Gonsalo Higwain and Leonardo Bonucci - didn't see Milan step forward in their careers.

Zlatan, despite being 38, is exactly the man Milan sought. He is so fitting that not only does the Swede see her as the great group that she was, he represents that great. It has no ego, it has a purpose - and it takes Milan back. "It's amazing to see how motivated Ibrahimovic is in this mission," Kaka told the Gazette Dello Sport. "I had no doubt he would give this team plenty," Pippo Inzagi added.

P. Zlatan

And there's nothing Zlatan likes to win more than the derby against Inter, which he'll be tonight. The Swedish played in Milan's two teams, but only connected to it in red-black. It has been almost 4 years since she won the narcotics, and at the Ibera Goal Bank tonight's game is at the top of the list. "There are games that are more important than others," Fioli confirmed. And this is probably the definitive proof that the Swede did not really go back to the group he was in before. After all, he played in Milan, today it is P. Zlatan.