After suffering a thigh injury in the 3-1 win over Napoli at Sao Paolo Stadium during the weekend, AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is trying to rush his recovery ahead of the Europa League clash with Lile on Thursday.
The 39-year-old Swede striker spent five hours at the Milan training ground on Tuesday, as he tries to rush his recovery.
Ibrahimovic currently tops the Serie A goalscorer chat with ten Serie A goals from the six league games he has played so far. The striker also has one goal in four Europa League appearances.
He would have add 11 goals in the Serie A if not for the penalty he missed against Hellas Verona before scoring to restore parity for Milan in the four-goal thriller.
.@en_sscnapoli 🆚 @acmilan#SerieATIM Matchday 0️⃣8️⃣
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) November 24, 2020
Final Result: 1️⃣ – 3️⃣@Ibra_official, #Hauge, @dries_mertens14 and all the best from the match!
#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/6HRp3Ld9kL
Ibrahimovic who bagged a brace in the 3-1 win away to Napoli on Sunday evening later pulled up clutching the back of his leg. He limped off with an ice-pack strapped to his thigh, leading to suggestions he could be out for several weeks.
Undettered by the pains, Ibrahimovic is doing everything within his reach to get back to fitness quickly.
10 goals in the first 8 matches at 39: ladies & gentlemen, the Lord of Records 🔴⚫
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 22, 2020
10 gol nelle prime 8 di A, a 39 anni: @Ibra_official, il "Signore dei Record" 🔴⚫#NapoliMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/Ax2iuLswy0
The quick return sorted by the striker might be as a result of unimpressive form in the Europa League where he has failed to convert a penalty while failing to live up to expectation against the Ligue 1 side in the first leg which ended in a 3-0 defeat.
According to MilanNews, he was at the Milanello training ground for five hours on Monday, spending time with special exercises, massage, and treatment.
Ibrahimovic could fail to return for Milan against Lille as he struggles with thigh strain
From the look of things, Milan might not want to rush the striker back into action.
But with a 39-year-old, who has netted 22 goals in 22 games and 6 assist feeling young and wants to have a go. Milan medical team will want to see if Ibra can pass the fitness test today.
With the help of Ibrahimovic, AC Milan has gained 20 points in Serie A so far this season.
In 2019-20 they had just 10 points after the same number of games. The +10pts difference is the best among the teams present in both seasons. All thanks to the huge influence of the Swedish veteran.
He he would no doubt be missed if he fails fitness test today. This will be a frustrating for him as a striker who is in rich vein of form.
Grit and determination ahead of the @EuropaLeague 💪
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 24, 2020
Grinta e determinazione verso #LOSCACM 💪#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/houygiHslk
In a related development, Milan will also be without Alexis Saelemaekers, who also had treatment for a muscular issue.
Other first-team players expected to miss Thursday’s Europa League fixture include Rafael Leao. The Portuguese sustained an injury while on international duty.
