The most recurrent spell of Ibrahimovic’s career is one with no reason to be proud; in the moments that count, in the Champions League, Zlatan, 14th in the Castrol Rankings, always goes missing. He lights himself up like an illusionist, but then fails to replicate his league form. He becomes a normal player, the usual, those who do not make the difference at the high levels.
He takes on the international scene like a novice. It’s not Ibrahimovic.
Going around Europe, looking for his happy oasis did not serve to resolve the problems in relation to his effort on the football pitch. And Ibra has played for his share of big teams equipped to play in the biggest competition on the continent. Apart from Ajax, when Zlatan was of a young age, the Sweden striker could and should have done much better than he has with each club with whom he has taken to the stage.
With the Juventus of Fabio Capello, it was a formation of notable fame. In the two years with la Vecchia Signora, Ibrahimovic reached the quarter-finals on both occasions. At Inter, first under Roberto Mancini and then Jose Mourinho, he was the one who dragged the team forwards, the leader, the star of the team that always shined very bright. It’s a shame it stopped shinning when the Champions League lights started to fall upon him.
Even with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, Ibrahimovic made for disappointing expectations. Even though away to Stuttgart and twice at Arsenal, those are the only goals he has scored in the knockout stages of the Champions League in his entire career.
He did not win the trophy with Barcelona, the best team in the world playing the best football in the world over the past three years. This would normally be deemed impossible, but Zlatan was subjected to the usual criticisms thanks to his failings on his biggest stage yet, the double semi-final against Inter.
Of course, Inter, his former club, went on to win the Champions League. What a strange coincidence it is that they won it when Ibrahimovic was not there. Nevertheless, the numbers of his technique cannot be discussed. His problems in Europe’s big games are hard to explain given that we so often become amazed by his fantastic play.
In Italy he is the most decisive person in the league, but he doesn’t shift the balance in Europe. Maybe, from a technical point of view, the problem could be justified by weight. Ibrahimovic represents an anomaly in the Italian game. Not many can keep up with his physical power, but things change in Europe when the teams are better equipped to deal with his strength from an athletic level.
To this we must add that Zlatan suffers the pressure of the big event. He seems to feel like he needs to prove something, and this is where his performances begin to suffer.
Eyes will be on him at White Hart Lane, as always. Milan have to come back from 1-0 down in the tie after losing the first game at San Siro. The Rossoneri will be relying on him against Tottenham as has happened many times before in his career.
This will be just the latest big occasion for Ibrahimovic to get the things right on the international stage. Another failure will mean the same old criticisms. Zlatan has to produce tonight.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Must Finally Perform In Europe If Milan Are To Beat Tottenham