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“Ibrahimovic manages to continue surprising,” says Milan coach

The AC Milan manager, Stefano Pioli, called Zlatan Ibrahimovic a champion who continues to surprise him after another stellar performance by the 39-year-old forward in Milan’s 2-0 win in Cagliari on Monday.

An injury deprived Milan of Ibrahimovic’s services for much of the season, but, on his return, goals flowed to help Pioli’s side climb to the top of the Serie A standings.

“He is a champion in everything he does. With his return we have other tactical possibilities and we are very happy to have him,” Pioli told reporters.

“He still manages to continue surprising, although I already know him well. We should expect the best of him, but today he also did something else.”

Returning to the starting lineup for the first time in a Serie A game since sustaining a thigh injury against Napoli on November 22, it took Ibrahimovic less than seven minutes to give Milan the lead by scoring from the penalty spot.

With this goal, Zlatan has scored in each of his last nine games as a starter for Milan.

The Swede showed no leg fatigue, clutching a ball and scoring a double in the 52nd minute, bringing his league tally for the season to 12 goals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 15.

Although Milan lost their unbeaten record in Serie A while their top scorer was offside, they won five of their eight league games during the Swede’s absence.

Milan leads the standings with 43 points from 18 games, three ahead of Inter Milan and 10 ahead of champions Juventus, who are fifth and have one game less.

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