There was a lot to unpack in Italy on Saturday night, when 10-man Milan walked away from Parma with an impressive 3-1 victory.
The Italian giants had to work hard by the hosts, even though they walked to a leading 2-0 lead on their way into the half. The game was turned upside down at the hour mark, however, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw red for disagreement.
Rebic blows one up in the top corner after an excellent assist from Zlatan! ?
Milan take the lead early thanks to a fantastic team goal? ⚫ pic.twitter.com/BTqfPin2at
– Watch ElClásico live on Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 10, 2021
Parma pulled back a goal shortly after, but Milan kept on winning – even adding brilliance to the points line in stoppage time thanks to Rafael Leao. It was a record Serie A victory for I Rossoneri, and it was hardly a surprise to hear Stefano Pioli praise his team’s performance after the match.
Here’s what he had to say about the victory, Milan’s plans for Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori – who impressed again – and Zlatan’s version of events regarding his red card.
Pioli confirmed that Milan want to sign Fikayo Tomori on a permanent contract at the end of the season after another impressive display.
The 23-year-old has impressed fans so much that he has been asked to replace club captain Alessio Romagnoli at the heart of the defense, and although such measures may be a bit premature, it is clear that the Milan manager has seen enough from his Chelsea loan star.
Milan hope to keep Tomori after this season Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images
“We are so happy with Tomori, our plan with him is so clear. We want to keep Fikayo and our plan is to keep him next season. Let’s see what happens to Chelsea,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
The deal that struck with Chelsea – while Frank Lampard was still at the club – allows Milan to pinch Tomori for just under £ 25m at the end of the season, although the Blues will surely do everything they can to convince him to consider his future in Stamford Bridge is now responsible for Thomas Tuchel.
Ibrahimovic managed to turn the game around from the end, no questions were asked in a moment.
How? He was sent off with half an hour to play to throw off.
A straight red card for Zlatan Ibrahimovic! ?
Out of nowhere, Milan’s star striker has given Parma a lifeline? pic.twitter.com/OGB0IaFmiZ
– Watch ElClásico live on Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 10, 2021
The Swede exchanged words with the referee, and it resulted in the Milan star getting his marching orders to use offensive language. However, Pioli has said that he spoke to Ibrahimovic at the end of the match, and he has denied using any such language.
“I talked to Zlatan, he argued with the judge but did not respect him and did not offend him at all,” said Pioli. “Ibra’s last sentence to Maresca was, ‘So you do not care what I say? “
With or without him, Milan found a way.
Tomori and Ibrahimovic had contrasting afternoons, but both can say that they were part of a record-breaking Milan side on Saturday night.
I Rossoneri showed great heart and spirit to watch the match against Parma and thus wrote himself in the club’s history books. As Opta noted, Piolis’ men beat their 13th away win of the season, which is the single they have ever achieved in a Serie A campaign.
The win was also their 16th on their travels in all competitions, which corresponded to a club record that was set back in 1992/93 and matched in 2004/05.
13 & 16 – AC Milan have collected their record of matches won at home in a single Serie A promotion (13) and they have won 16 matches at home this season in all competitions: their joint record in a single promotion, level with 2004 / 05 and 1992/93. Heart. # ParmaMilan pic.twitter.com/qiQb8Jhvxm
– OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 10, 2021
One man they are in no hurry to thank is Zlatan – for making things unnecessarily difficult with his few slogans.
