Zlatan Ibrahimovic rolled back the years with two impressive goals to help AC Milan beat Sassuolo 2-1 in Serie A on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Ibrahimovic netted twice in the first half, either side of Francesco Caputo’s penalty for Sassuolo.
Sassuolo had to play the entire second half with 10 men after midfielder Mehdi Bourabia was sent off on the stroke of halftime following a second yellow card.
It was Milan’s seventh victory in the nine games since Serie A resumed following the pandemic-enforced shutdown and moved the team up to fifth. It drew the other two matches.
It was confirmed after the match that Milan coach Stefano Pioli had signed a two-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until June 2022.
Ibrahimovic rejoined Milan in December on a six-month contract with an option for next season.
“Will I stay? There are still three matches, 10 days and no one has said anything else,” the Swedish forward said. “But I’m working, we are doing good things and if we take the table since I arrived I think we would be second or third.”
Milan have lost just two matches since Ibrahimovic's arrival.
“We will talk with him immediately after the end of the season, he is also completely focused on these matches and he is doing so in an excellent manner, as always,” Milan sporting director Frederic Massara said.
“There will be a meeting and we will see if there are the conditions to be able to continue.
“The contribution he has given is unquestionable, he has transformed the team in its mentality, skill and character, he has helped the growth of many younger players, who are today doing well.”
Ibrahimovic gave Milan the lead in the 19th minute with a diving header at the back post following a cross from Hakan Calhanoglu.
There was a dramatic end to the half as Caputo leveled from the spot three minutes from the break. The referee had awarded the penalty after reviewing the incident on the pitch side monitor and judging that the ball had hit Calhanoglu’s arm.
Calhanoglu redeemed himself moments later with a second assist — a through-ball for Ibrahimovic to run onto, round the goalkeeper and place into the back of the net.
It was the first time since 1999 that Milan has scored at least two goals in nine successive matches.
Bourabia was given his marching orders but Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli kept the scoreline down with several good saves, including preventing Ibrahimovic from getting his hat trick.
