For the third time in the last four games, AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was taken out of the pitch by manager Stefano Pioli and for a good reason. The club boss said Ibrahimovic was subbed in the past games to conserve his energy and prepare for the upcoming matches.
The Swede was unable to hide his dismay when called off the pitch after playing just over an hour against Bologna in San Siro. Milan won the game, 5-1, but Ibrahimovic was clearly annoyed by Pioli's maneuver.
On his way out, the 38-year-old ignored the fist bump offered by his coach, The Daily Mail reported, but Pioli was unmindful of the gesture, saying players like Ibrahimovic "doesn't like being substituted."
The coach further explained: "He was important for the team but I have to make sure he conserves energy - we are playing every three days and he is coming back from injury."
The veteran striker has appeared in 14 games for Milan and found the net five times, and it appeared that Pioli is looking to get the best out of Ibrahimovic in the club's remaining matches. The target for the manager is to wrap up the season in the Top 5 of the league, and he noted that the fixture ahead is busy.
Ibrahimovic failed to score against Bologna but manage to help in the completion of one goal. More importantly, the Swede achieved an impressive milestone Wednesday last week. Milan won the game against Parma, and Ibrahimovic marked his 100th game with the San Siro side.
He indicated that he could extend his stay with the club but wanted an assurance that he'd get more playing minutes on the pitch.
According to Sky Sports, Ibrahimovic's existing deal with Milan has the option to extend until 2021, but to date, nothing has been discussed if he will be staying on the Italian side until at least January next year.
"Nobody started talking about the future, on my part or from Milan. Here nothing is known about the future now. Let's play and finish as best we can, then let's see," the striker was reported as saying.
The Milan made clear that signing on to a new deal will depend on the notion that he can still contribute. Ibrahimovic said he hates the idea that his stay with the club will leave him functioning just a mere "mascot."
Ibrahimovic said it's important that he can deliver what is expected of him, and assured he could show the desired results when given more time on the field.
The report, however, suggested that a decision on Ibrahimovic will be pending until the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as Milan's new sporting director. The incoming executive is seen to have the say on who the club will hire and release next season, the report added.
