Home » Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Champions League exit: “Disappointment”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Champions League exit: “Disappointment”

AC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic said their Champions League early exit against Feyenoord was a “disappointment.”

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Ibrahimovic deemed Champions League exit “disappointment”

Coming from a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their playoff, Milan drew 1-1 at home against Feyenoord, resulting in elimination with a 2-1 aggregate loss.

The Italian club had a busy winter transfer window, making five signings, including Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea and the permanent addition of Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord.

Ibrahimovic defended his club’s transfer policy despite falling short in the Champions League.

“The Champions League was a goal for us so it’s a disappointment,” Ibrahimovic said. “We weren’t happy and in January we made these moves to improve, but there is no guarantee.”

“I played in that team and I can say that this team today has a better chance of winning,” Ibrahimovic said. “It’s twice as strong. We won with that team, but this one is better in terms of quality.”

“We’re angry with ourselves”

Milan were forced to play with 10 men after Theo Hernandez picked up a second booking for simulation in the 51st minute.

Ibrahimovic said the Rossoneri squad lacked maturity during the game.

“On Theo’s second yellow card the referee was harsh: for simulation in a match like this, give at least a warning,” he said.

“But we are not angry with the referee, we are angry with ourselves. We lost and the opponent was stronger. We killed ourselves. It’s our fault, there are no excuses or complaints. We need to look in the mirror and see what we did wrong. I think there was a lack of maturity, you win 1-0 and you keep playing. I want to see a dominant Milan.”

“On Theo’s second yellow card the referee was harsh: for simulation in a match like this, give at least a warning,” he said.

Nonetheless, the former AC Milan star says the players must now focus on Serie A.

Milan are seventh in the league standings, five points behind Juventus, who are fourth and occupy the last Champions League qualifying spot.

“Now the important thing is to stay as a group and think about the league,” he said.