MILAN, March 19 — Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest goalscorer in the heritage of Serie A on Saturday but could not end AC Milan from slipping to a 3-1 defeat at Udinese.
Ibrahimovic, 41, was in Milan’s commencing line-up for the first time due to the fact January previous year and smashed residence a penalty at the next endeavor in initial-50 % stoppage time to make the rating 1-1 next Roberto Pereyra’s ninth-minute opener.
But it wasn’t plenty of to cease fourth-positioned Milan from losing their fourth match away from property in their final 5 and skip the probability to go provisionally next in Italy’s prime flight.
Stefano Pioli’s workforce continue to be fourth, two details powering local rivals Inter Milan in second in the race for the Champions League.
They will fall out of the major 4 if Roma acquire the Rome derby with Lazio on Sunday evening though Inter encounter fierce rivals Juventus hoping to steal a march on their rivals for Europe’s top club levels of competition.
“When a staff performs like this it signifies the mentor has not done his task. We played way below our conventional,” Pioli advised Sky.
“We not in a excellent place in the league and obtaining into the top rated 4 is so essential for us… We have not finished enough about the very last several months.”
Donning the captain’s armband Ibrahimovic missed his first place-kick but was offered a second likelihood when Beto was penalised for encroachment, and thumped his shot down the middle of the aim.
At 41 years and 166 times previous Ibrahimovic overtook previous AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta — who also netted against Udinese in 2007 aged 41 — as the oldest scorer in Italy’s best flight.
He had earlier made a few substitute appearances this season soon after remaining sidelined given that May perhaps past yr, next reconstructive surgical procedures on the anterior cruciate ligament in his still left knee.
Udinese coach Andrea Sottil was sent off for his protests at the selection to award the penalty for a Jaka Bijol handball and then permit Ibrahimovic to retake following Marco Silvestri’s brilliant conserve.
But Sottil’s facet were ahead at the crack as Beto built up for his earlier mistake by ending off Isaac Success’ very low cross on the stroke of 50 %-time.
And Kingsley Ehizibue made positive of Udinese’s second earn in as a lot of league matches, just their third since early Oct, stealing in at the back publish to poke in Destiny Udogie’s mishit shot.
Udinese’s to start with residence get due to the fact mid-September moves them up to eighth, amount on 38 factors with Juve and a position in advance of Bologna who drew 2-2 at Salernitana before on Saturday.
“It’s a great win, we have been in a tricky period but we worked really hard and we deserved this get,” claimed Pereyra to Sky.
“We’re heading in the appropriate route and we will need to maintain going, we know what our qualities are.
“We’ve acquired 11 matches left and we’ll give it a go with anyone.”
Monza drew 1-1 with having difficulties Cremonese in the day’s 1st match. — AFP