Cagliari: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brace on his return from injury helping AC Milan beat Cagliari 2-0 at the Sardegna Arena on Monday(January 18).
Stefano Pioli’s men lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alessio Romagnoli being paired with Simon Kjær at the heart of the defence. Franck Kessié along with Sandro Tonali formed a double pivot in the midfield. Zlatan Ibrahimovic shared the forward line alongside Jens Petter Hauge and Samuel Castillejo with Brahim Díaz playing as a no.10 behind them.
Milan got their chance just minutes into game. Ibrahimovic got to the end of a through ball by Diaz but was taken down by full-back Charalampos Lykogiannis in the box with Swedish superstar stepping up and converting his spot-kick.
The Rossoneri were dominating the possession in majority of the but the weren’t finding any opening. Best chance in the half came for right-back Calabria who attempted a thumping volley but the post came to rescue for the home side.
Joao Pedro was creating pressure for the the vistors’ defence however it was not quite enough for them. Milan sealed the deal though Ibrahimovic who slotted it past goal-keeper Alessio Cragno after Calabria found him with an gem of a cross field ball from the back.
Alexis Saelemaekers who came on as substitute in the second half was sent off after a pulling back Luca Cappitelli who was going through. Zlatan would have scored the hattrick again if Cragno didn’t attempt a perfect outing to deny him chance.
However, they got the full-three points to remain at the top of the table with a three point gap between them and second-placed Inter.
