Zlatan Ibrahimovic ignored the predictable boos on his first return to Inter Milan on Wednesday without answering the skeptics who still doubt his ability to finally make a mark in Europe.
|Last Updated: Sep 17, 2009, 03:08 PM IST|Source: Bureau
Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic ignored the predictable boos on his first return to Inter Milan on Wednesday without answering the skeptics who still doubt his ability to finally make a mark in Europe.
Wednesday`s 0-0 draw in the Champions League Group F opener prompted more questions than answers for both sides, even if Barca shaded the contest in terms of chances and technical ability.
Questions also remain over Swede Ibrahimovic, who hopes his pre-season swap deal with Samuel Eto`o can turn him into one of the most feared strikers in the continent after invariably flattering to deceive for Inter in the Champions League.
His talents in domestic soccer are undoubted, given he inspired Inter to three Italian titles, and he was full prepared for jeers from parts of the San Siro."Some whistled, it`s normal when you lose a player you did not want to lose," he told reporters. "With a bit of luck I could even have scored."
In truth, Ibrahimovic snatched at a good early chance and generally failed to impose himself despite some tidy link-up play.
"I`m very happy, in my opinion we have players better than Inter," he said.
Eto`o, who scored the opener when Barca beat Manchester United 2-0 to lift the trophy last May, put in a similarly indifferent performance as Ibrahimovic against his former side.
"It was difficult for him. But he worked hard for the team and that`s why I like Samuel," Inter coach Jose Mourinho told a news conference after refusing to comment on Ibrahimovic`s display.
Bureau Report
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.