A one-of-a-kind player and a charismatic talent, it’s safe to say that the football world won’t be seeing another character quite like Zlatan Ibrahimovic for some time to come now.

The Swedish striker retired from football on Sunday, June 4, and brought an end to his second spell with AC Milan in Italy.

A footballing maverick if there ever were one, Zlatan’s larger-than-life character made him a headache for some managers to manage while others enjoyed it.

He travelled the world representing a host of top clubs in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, and England.

Zlatan also enjoyed a spell in the US before returning to AC Milan for another spell which saw him help the Italian giants to a Scudetto.

At the national team level, Zlatan is the top-scorer for Sweden having netted 62 goals while representing his country.

He’s also Sweden’s top goal-scorer in the European Championship with six goals and is the only Swede to net in three consecutive UEFA Euros (2004, 2008, and 2012).

A player who aged like wine fine, he holds the record for most goals (30) in a regular MLS season during his time with LA Galaxy in America.

In Ligue 1 in France, Zlatan netted 38 league goals in 2015-16 and it is the most by a player in the French top flight.

A true footballing journeyman, Zlatan began his career with Malmo in Sweden before moving to Ajax as a youngster.

It was at Ajax that he caught the attention of the wider football fraternity as he soon earned a move to Italy’s most successful team Juventus before switching to fellow Serie A giants Inter Milan.

After a three-year spell with Inter, Zlatan moved to Barcelona but returned to Italy with AC Milan after a brief stint with the Catalans.

Following a couple of seasons with AC Milan, Zlatan was on the move again and this time to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, where he spent six seasons - the most at one club in his career.

After his time in Ligue 1, Zlatan joined Manchester United for a successful first season but a serious injury curtailed his time in England and led to a move to the USA where he joined LA Galaxy for whom he scored several great goals.

A scorer of great goals, Zlatan won the Puskas Award in 2013 for the best goal of the year after a scintillating bicycle kick from outside the box for Sweden against England.

Once his contract with LA Galaxy was over, the Swedish forward returned to Europe which would be his last club before retirement.

Over the course of his career, Zlatan won plenty of trophies - both individual and collective - wherever he went.

Some of the trophies he won with his various clubs include two Eredivisie titles, one KNVB Cup, five Serie A titles, three Supercoppa Italianas, one La Liga, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, four Ligue 1 crowns, two Coupe de France’s, three Coupe de la Ligues, one UEFA Europa League, and League Cup in England.

On the individual front, Zlatan won the Goal of the Tournament award in UEFA Euro 2004 and 2012. He also won the Golden Foot award in 2012.

With all that in mind, let's have a look at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's stats and records for his clubs and teams.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic stats and records

Club level

Team	Games	Goals	Assists
Paris Saint-Germain	180	156	61
AC Milan	163	93	35
Inter Milan	117	66	30
Ajax	110	48	17
Juventus	92	26	20
Los Angeles Galaxy	58	53	15
Manchester United	53	29	10
Barcelona	46	22	13
Malmo	8	3	3
Overall	827	496	204

International level

Competition	Games	Goals	Assists
Friendlies	39	18	8
World Cup qualification	34	19	9
UEFA Euro qualification	31	19	7
UEFA Euro	13	6	1
FIFA World Cup	5	-	-
Overall	122	62	25

Photo credit: Alamy

English footballer James Milner and former Portugal forward Luis Figo share the record for most assists in a single UEFA Champions League season, with nine assists.

Milner, who joined Liverpool in 2015, achieved the feat in the first leg of the 2017-18 Champions League semi-final against AS Roma, when Roberto Firmino headed his 69th-minute corner kick past now Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker to make the score 5-0.

Most assists in a single #UCL campaign:

17/18 - James Milner [9]
16/17 - Neymar [8]
13/14 - Wayne Rooney [8]
21/22 - Bruno Fernandes [7]*

Going for the record. pic.twitter.com/FvXg8Y3PAa

�?Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2022

The Englishman matched Luis Figo’s tally of assists which the Portuguese great first achieved in the 1999-00 season. As per transfermarkt.co.uk, Figo racked up nine assists in 13 matches for FC Barcelona in the campaign and repeated it in the following season - nine assists in 14 games - while representing Real Madrid.

Neymar and Wayne Rooney sit joint-second on the list for most assists in a single UEFA Champions League campaign with eight assists.

Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, notched eight assists in the 2013-14 Champions League campaign.

Neymar matched Wayne Rooney’s record in the 2016-17 season, when he provided eight assists for FC Barcelona. The Brazilian played a role in four goals in the Blaugrana’s 7-0 win over Celtic, and it remains one of his best performances in the competition.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes notched his seventh UCL assist in a single campaign in the ongoing 2021-22 campaign, when his 80th-minute pass enabled Anthony Elanga to equalise for the Red Devils in their 1-1 first leg draw against Atletico Madrid.

6 - Bruno Fernandes is the first player in Champions League history to assist in six consecutive appearances while playing for an English club, breaking the record held by David Beckham (for @ManUtd) since 1998. Creator. pic.twitter.com/y92qBMZas8

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2022

By doing so, Bruno also set a new record as the first player in Champions League history to assist in six consecutive games for an English club. 

Furthermore, the Portuguese playmaker’s tally of seven assists puts him joint-third on the list for most assists in a single UEFA Champions League campaign alongside Roberto Firmino (2017-18), Ryan Giggs (2006-07), Zlatan Ibrahimović (2012-13) and Xavi Hernández (2008-09).

Most assists in a single UEFA Champions League campaign

Player	Assists	Season
Luis Figo	9	1999-00, 2000-01
James Milner		2017-18
Wayne Rooney	8	2013-14
Neymar		2016-17
Ryan Giggs	7	2006-07
Xavi Hernández		2008-09
Zlatan Ibrahimović		2012-13
Roberto Firmino		2017-18
Bruno Fernandes*		2021-22

*indicates an active player who could break the record

Author: William Paul

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates from the world of sports!

Interested in football betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites.

Featured photo: AFP / PETER BYRNE

Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has broken many untouchable records across his trophy-laden career in football, but one record he won’t be proud of holding is that of most penalties missed in the 21st century.

After missing a 62nd-minute penalty for PSG against Real Madrid in a UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter, Messi has now failed to convert from the spot 30 times - the most by any player in the modern era.

The Argentine’s penalty miss also saw Leo Messi equal Thierry Henry’s record for most missed penalties in the UEFA Champions League (5).

Messi’s rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the next player on the list for most penalties missed in the 21st century. The Portuguese legend - the record holder for most career goals in football and most goals in international football - has failed to convert 29 spot-kicks.

Ronaldo most recently missed a penalty for Manchester United against Middlesbrough in the 2021-22 FA Cup. In comparison to his eternal rival Leo Messi, Ronaldo has fared marginally better from the spot.

AS Roma icon Francesco Totti missed 18 penalties during his career. Nicknamed Il Capitano (The Captain), Totti served as Roma’s primary penalty scorer and scored 77 goals from a possible 95 attempts in the 21st century.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fourth on the list for most penalties missed in the 21st century with 17 unsuccessful spot-kicks. The 40-year-old Swedish striker is celebrated as one of the most prolific attackers of his generation and served as a first-choice penalty taker for almost all of his teams, including current side AC Milan. Ibrahimovic’s last penalty miss came in a 3-1 win against AS Roma in January 2022.

Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale completes the top-five list for most penalty misses. The Italian forward, who retired from football in 2016, successfully converted 41 spot-kicks and missed 14 times. 

Most penalties missed in the 21st century

Player	Penalties scored	Penalties missed
Lionel Messi	103	30
Cristiano Ronaldo	143	29
Francesco Totti	77	18
Zlatan Ibrahimovic	84	17
Antonio Di Natale	41	14

Author: William Paul

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates from the world of sports!

Interested in football betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites.

Featured photo: AFP / FRANCK FIFE

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to make a comeback for his country after being named in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo and an international friendly against Estonia.

Ibrahimovic, who has scored 62 goals in 116 games for Sweden, had announced his retirement from international football in 2016 right after his team finished at the bottom in their group and were eliminated from Euro 2016. There have been speculations regarding his comeback ever since, especially when Sweden qualified for the World Cup in 2018. However, the national team coach, Janne Andersson had outrightly ruled out the possibility.

But, in a press conference on Tuesday, the coach has now confirmed the return of the marksman, stating that his experience will help the other players in the team.

"First and foremost, he is a very good football player, the best we have had in Sweden," said Andersson. "It is of course very funny that he wants to come back. In addition to what he can contribute on the pitch, he has incredible experience and can contribute it to other players in the team."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic)

As for Ibrahimovic, who is married to Helena Seger, took to social media to announce his comeback by simply saying, “The return of the God.�?/p>

Sweden are set to play two World Cup qualifiers against Georgia (March 25th) and Kosovo (March 28th) followed by a friendly against Estonia (March 31st). Meanwhile, Sweden's squad for Euro 2021 will be announced on March 18th. If Ibrahimovic takes the field in any of the aforementioned games, he will become the oldest player to play for Sweden, surpassing the likes of Henrik Larsson and Thomas Ravelli. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jonathan Nackstrand

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Inter attacker Romelu Lukaku clashed during the Milan Derby in the Italian Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, as the latter defeated their inter-city rivals 2-1, courtesy of a last-minute free-kick by Christian Eriksen.

Ibrahimovic had broken the deadlock a minute after the half-hour mark before he went head to head with his former Manchester United teammate Romelu Lukaku. The two exchanged heated words at the end of the first half and had to be taken away by their respective teammates. Both the players received caution and it was Inter who had the last laugh as Ibrahimovic was sent off in the second half after picking a second yellow following a challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov.

What did Lukaku say to Ibrahimovic?

With the game being played behind closed doors, the exchange of words was quite clearly heard. Here's what happened:

Lukaku and Ibrahimovic are choosing to cuss other out in English so you know it's real... pic.twitter.com/XwNTWUgHOE

�?Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) January 26, 2021

Lukaku clearly incensed as the tension with Ibrahimović continues into half time:

“He wants to talk about mothers? Son of a b****.�?(Credit - @champagne_yv2) pic.twitter.com/z7sm9JLymn

�?Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) January 26, 2021

In Italy, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are trading heavyweight handbags, resulting in this from Rom #derbydellamadonnina pic.twitter.com/A4lU1PsYus

�?Sport Social (@TheSportSocial) January 26, 2021

Milan, despite being a man down, were leading until Inter were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes to go. Lukaku stepped on to bring his team on level terms with an absolute belter of a penalty. Eriksen, eventually, got the winner with a wonderfully curved free-kick in the added minutes.

The Anger in Lukaku penalty
Ibrahimovic Red Card Lool.. #InterMilanpic.twitter.com/GjdKCYCkMk

�?The Smiling Nerd �?(@jenzbenzy) January 26, 2021

Nah
Zlatan just called Lukaku a donkey and Lukaku responded with, “let’s go inside and fight you bitch�?

�?⚡️ (@_CFCThiago) January 26, 2021

Lukaku struck that penalty by imagining Ibra’s head as the ball

�?K.C.⚜️ (@KCTellem_) January 26, 2021

Lukaku hit that penalty as though he was finally allowed to kick out at Ibra.

�?Anton Toloui (@SkyAnton) January 26, 2021

This Milan Derby has had a Lukaku vs Ibrahimovic fight, both of them scoring and now the referee is injured

�?TC. (@totalcristiano) January 26, 2021

Tuesday's Royal Rumble Fight

Romelu Lukaku vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic

©WWE

�?Adedoyin (@Its_Adedoyin) January 26, 2021

What I wouldn't give to hear the words being spoken in this heated exchange between Lukaku and Ibrahimovic.

Lukaku seems pretty hurt by whatever Ibra said and just wants to go full UFC on him

�?Henry Nzekwe (@Henry_Kingg) January 26, 2021

Would actually love to see a Lukaku and Ibrahimovic fight. A martial arts bore vs brute strength and fury, big 1990s UFC vibes.

�?Ciaran (@LoyIeToMyCapo) January 26, 2021

Milan manager, Stefano Pioli, said after the game that Ibrahimovic eventually apologised for his action.

"He [Ibrahimovic] apologised like the great champion he is," Pioli said. "He got a bit caught up in the desire to help the team. It wasn't easy to stay in the game a man down. The pressure from Inter was strong."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Miguel Medina

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for the global virus, the Serie A club confirmed in a statement on Thursday. The statement also mentioned that no other player in the squad has tested positive, although defender Leo Duarte did test positive earlier on Wednesday and has since begun isolating.

“Zlatan Ibrahimović has tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of swab tests ahead of tonight's game against Bodø/Glimt. The Club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home. All other team members and staff have tested negative,�?Milan’s official statement read.

The announcement came just hours before Milan were to face Norwegian outfit FK Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League third qualifying round.

I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today. No symptoms what so ever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea

�?Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 24, 2020

The absence of the Swedish forward will be a major blow for Milan given the charismatic striker’s strong start to the season. Ibrahimovic was on the scoresheet during Milan’s Europa League second qualifying round win over Shamrock Rovers.

He also netted a brace during Milan’s Serie A win against Bologna to help them start their league campaign with a win. 

The 38-year-old rejoined Milan from Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit LA Galaxy last December. He had previously played for the Rossoneri for a brief period from 2011 to 2012 and rejoined the club on a six-month contract initially.

However, his performances and leadership on the pitch led to the Italian giants offering him a new contract for the 2020-21 season. Ibrahimovic netted 11 goals and bagged five assists from 20 appearances for Milan last campaign.

With three goals in Milan's first two games of the new season, Ibrahimovic will undoubtedly be a big miss for his team. Besides Thursday’s Europa League clash, he’s set to miss out on the Serie A clashes against Crotone and Spezia before the first international break of the season.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Miguel Medina

Serie A concluded on Sunday after a marathon 11-month 2019-20 season, with Juventus crowned Italian champions for the ninth year in a row.

Here, we take a look at the highs and lows after the final weekend of the campaign:

Juve hit a 10-year low

Juventus were crowned champions for the 36th time but wrapped up their season with the lowest number of points of their nine-season title run.

Maurizio Sarri's side finished with 83 points -- their lowest tally of the past decade -- with their most number of defeats for a single season in that time with seven.

The Turin giants won just two of their final eight matches, with Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Roma their first loss at their Allianz Stadium home since April 2018.

• 'Fear is good,' says Sarri as Juve crash in Serie A finale

They also conceded 43 goals, more than in any of their previous eight title successes.

"Considering all the problems we had this season which was unlike any other, we can be happy to have won," said Sarri.

"It was a season in which the strongest could have lost."

Conte fury at Inter's Chinese owners

Antonio Conte's Inter Milan ended up finishing just one point behind fierce rivals Juve in second, their best placing since 2011.

But Conte's future has been thrown into doubt after his outburst following Saturday's 2-0 win over Atalanta in Bergamo which enabled them to snatch second place.

"It has been a tough year on a personal level, very tough," said the former Juve, Chelsea and Italy coach, who was angered at perceived media criticism of him and his team.

"We had to eat crap for months and got zero protection from the club.

"There will be discussions with the president (Steven Zhang), but he is in China.

"I can be a lightning rod for the first year, but if you don't learn and keep making the same mistakes, that's just crazy."

Atalanta surge

Atalanta returned even stronger after the three-month lockdown in which the team's city of Bergamo was at the epicentre of the global pandemic.

Gian Piero Gasperini's exciting side scored 98 goals -- 35 after the return -- with Colombians Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata scoring 18 each, and Josip Ilicic 15.

Atalanta finished the season third, matching last season's all-time best finish.

They still have plenty to play for too, as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut season in the competition.

Immobile top, but Lazio fall short

Ciro Immobile equalled Serie A's single-season scoring record but Lazio fell short in their bid for a first league title in two decades.

The 30-year-old Italy international scored in a 3-1 defeat at Napoli to match Gonzalo Higuain's record of 36 goals, set while playing for Napoli in the 2015-16 season.

Immobile also won the European Golden Shoe for the continent's top scorer this term.

"Winning the Golden Shoe is a source of great pride, to go down in the history of this sport," said Immobile, who scored seven goals in his last five games, including a hat-trick.

Lazio finished fourth to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2007.

Zlatan rolls back the years

Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score 10 goals in a Serie A season as AC Milan finished the campaign on a 12-game unbeaten run for the first time in nearly three decades.

• 'I'm just warming up:' Ibrahimovic dismisses retirement talk

The 38-year-old, who joined Milan in January, scored his first goal at Cagliari and ended the campaign scoring against the Sardinians in a 3-0 win at the San Siro.

The seven-time European champions moved up from 11th in January to sixth and qualified for the Europa League.

Balotelli flops amid racism storm

Mario Balotelli's return to hometown club Brescia was a flop with the Italy international also subjected to racism.

The 29-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool striker was targeted by racist abuse at Lazio and Verona, where he threatened to walk off the pitch.

Verona were given a one-match partial stadium closure, which was later suspended on appeal. Lazio were fined 20,000 euros.

There was also controversy during the season surrounding Serie A's anti-racism campaign which featured three images of monkeys.

Balotelli scored just five goals as Brescia returned to Serie B after just one season in the top flight.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Miguel Medina

Juventus crashed to a humiliating 2-0 defeat at Cagliari on Wednesday, days after sealing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, prompting coach Maurizio Sarri to consider fielding his Under-23 team in Saturday's finale to conserve resources ahead of their Champions League challenge.

Cagliari's 20-year-old forward Luca Gagliano tapped in the opener eight minutes into his first Serie A match, beating veteran Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon to score his first top division goal.

And the young Italian then teed up Giovanni Simeone in first half stoppage time to give Cagliari their first win over Juventus in 11 years.

"The 40 goals conceded (this season) may be a concern, but tonight's game is not," said Sarri. 

"We had nine injured and we came from a championship won 68 hours ago, so it was an atypical game that should be taken for what it is. 

"We are the only ones in Europe who have played five games in 12 days, the League has created big problems for us. 

"Let's see how we are tomorrow and if it is appropriate to line up the Under-23 team on Saturday against Roma to recover better."

Cristiano Ronaldo missed the chance to keep pace with Serie A's leading scorer Ciro Immobile, the Portuguese now four goals behind the Lazio forward's tally of 35 with one match remaining.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had a goal ruled offside after 16 minutes and was denied twice by Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno as the 13th-placed Sardinians ended their eight-match winless run.

It was a worrying performance for Sarri's side, who have won just two of their last seven games, with key forwards Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa fighting for fitness ahead of the Champions League showdown with Lyon on August 7 in Turin, when they need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

Immobile on target

In Rome, Immobile moved to within one goal of equalling the Serie A single season scoring record as Lazio beat relegated Brescia 2-0 to stay in the race for second place.

Immobile struck eight minutes from time to close in on Gonzalo Higuain's record of 36 goals, scored for Napoli in 2015-16.

Lazio are fourth, equal on 78 points with third-placed Atalanta, who beat Parma 2-1 on Tuesday, and one adrift of Inter Milan who are second following their 2-0 win over Napoli.

Inter and Atalanta will go head-to-head this weekend with Lazio's last game at seventh-placed Napoli.

• Read | Immobile closes in on Serie A record as Lazio target second spot

Immobile helped Joaquin Correa open the scoring after 16 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, with Correa returning the favour late on.

Behind the top four, who are assured of Champions League football next season, Roma sealed their Europa League group stage berth with a 3-2 win at Torino.

Napoli have already secured their place as a result of their Italian Cup win while AC Milan, who will finish sixth, must go through the Europa League qualifying rounds despite beating Sampdoria 4-1.

Zlatan AKA 'Benjamin Button'

Stefano Pioli's side remain four points behind Roma after Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice and set up a third in a dominating display against Samp.

The 38-year-old got his head to an Ante Rebic cross within four minutes in Genoa for his fastest goal in the Italian top flight, before nodding the ball across for Hakan Calhanoglu to add the second six minutes after the break. 

Turkish winger Calhanoglu provided the cross which allowed Ibrahimovic to add his second of the night. 

Leao added a fourth in injury time as Milan extended their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Ibrahimovic has scored nine league goals since rejoining Milan in January.

The veteran brings his club tally to 51 goals for the club, combined with his previous stint between 2010 and 2012.

He also becomes the first player to have scored 50 goals for both Milan clubs, with 57 netted during his time at city rivals Inter from 2006 to 2009.

"Like Benjamin Button, I've always been young, never old," said Ibrahimovic of the film of a man who ages in reverse.

"They tell me I'm old and tired but I'm just warming up."

Lecce's bid for survival will go down to the final day after they came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1. 

The southern club occupy the final relegation position but are now just one point behind 17th-placed Genoa, who were hammered 5-0 at Sassuolo.

Both Lecce and Genoa will face Parma and Hellas Verona respectively at the weekend hoping to avoid joining Brescia and SPAL in Serie B.

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ruled out hanging up his boots after this season, insisting on Saturday that he is "just warming up".

"So you think that I'm done, that my career will soon be over? You don't know me," the 38-year-old said in a dramatic video posted on social media.

"All my life I had to fight. No-one believed in me, so I had to believe in myself.

"Some people wanted to break me, but they only made me stronger. Others wanted to exploit me, they only made me smarter.

"But now you think I'm done? To all of you, I only have one thing to say. I'm not like you because I'm not you.

"I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic and I am just warming up."

Ibrahimovic rejoined Milan in January from Los Angeles Galaxy on a six-month contract worth 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million) with the option for an additional season.

I'm just warming up pic.twitter.com/7GLlrCIG4a

�?Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) July 25, 2020

The Swede helped the former Italian giants to their last Serie A title in 2011, and has had a big impact since his return with the club moving up from 11th to sixth in the table.

The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker has scored seven goals in 16 league games with two left to play.

Ibrahimovic's announcement comes days after coach Stefano Pioli, with whom the Swede is on good terms, signed a new two-year deal.

Pioli praised Ibrahimovic for the club's return to form as they extended their unbeaten run to ten games with a 1-1 draw against second-placed Atalanta on Friday.

"The contribution that Ibrahimovic has given to the growth of the team is evident," said Pioli.

"I hope to be able to work with him again but there are many things that must be put on the table.

"There's no doubt that he is still well and can still be a driving force and can carry on, but it depends on many different things."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Marco Bertorello

Luis Muriel came off the bench to score the only goal as Atalanta beat Bologna 1-0 in a fiery Serie A clash on Tuesday to move back second behind leaders Juventus.

Muriel struck just after an hour as Atalanta extended their unbeaten run to 15 games to move six points behind Juventus, and two ahead of third-placed Inter Milan.

Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned back the clock with a double as AC Milan beat 10-man 2-1 Sassuolo to move fifth ahead of Roma and Napoli and into the Europa League berths.

Atalanta had won six successive games since the league resumed after the coronavirus lockdown before drawing 2-2 with Juventus, and were held 1-1 at Verona last time out. 

The Bergamo side have 74 points this season with three games to play, overtaking their previous best haul of 72 during the 2016-17 season.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini was banished from the sidelines after a spat with counterpart Sinisa Mihajlovic before the break, with the Bologna boss receiving a yellow card. 

It was the second red card in recent weeks for Gasperini who has been showing signs of frayed nerves before his side meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight next month. 

"I didn't deserve to be expelled," fumed Gasperini afterwards. "But let's talk about the match. 

"We're looking for consistency on the pitch, then we'll have 12 days later to choose what kind of work to do to prepare for the Champions League."

Bologna, in tenth, battled after their 5-1 defeat against AC Milan last time out with Musa Barrow missing a double chance against his parent side.

Muriel came off the bench after the break and picked up a cross from fellow Colombian Duvan Zapata to score his 18th goal this season and 11th off the bench.

Juventus can seal the title with a win over 16th-placed Udinese, but it depends on Inter Milan, who are eight points behind the champions, failing to beat Fiorentina at the San Siro on Wednesday.

- Milan reward Pioli -

Outside the Champions League places, Stefano Pioli's Milan extended their unbeaten run since the return with the seventh win in nine games.

"I was already seeing the team improve before the lockdown, then we grew a lot," said Pioli, who has been given a two-year contract extension with the club until June 2022.

"We're doing good things, but it is not over yet," added Ibrahimovic.   

"We are still in the running to reach our goal. Fifth place is what we want, but the qualifiers are fine too."

Ibrahimovic nodded in Hakan Calhanoglu's cross after 19 minutes and added a second just before the break.

The 38-year-old, who helped Milan to their last Serie A title back in 2011, savoured scoring more than one goal in a Serie A game for the first time in eight years.

Francesco Caputo had equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot, after a Calhanoglu handball, for his 19th goal this season.

But Sassuolo played the second half a man down after Mehdi Bourabia was sent off for a foul on Ante Rebic, ending their nine-match unbeaten run.

Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma took over the captain's armband after an injury to Alessio Romagnoli as the 21-year-old marked his 200th game for the club.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Miguel Medina