Milan will face arch-rivals Inter in their mouth-watering Coppa Italia semi-final tie without headline performer Zlatan Ibrahimovic in all likelihood. According to Sky Sport Italia, the Swedish veteran is unlikely to recover in time to help his side in the upcoming Coppa Italia first-leg encounter on Tuesday.
Ibrahimovic last featured for Milan in a scoreless draw with Juventus in late January, having missed his side’s last four Serie A matches since. The Achilles injury forced his withdrawal from action just half an hour into the game, keeping him on the sidelines for the latest installment of the Derby della Madonnina.
However, Ibrahimovic’s deputy Olivier Giroud thrived in the Sweden international’s absence, scoring a quick-fire brace to inspire Milan’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over Inter earlier in February. The Frenchman was spot on as the Rossoneri thrashed Lazio 4-0 in the previous Coppa Italia round, racking up another double.
Based on Giroud’s recent scoring exploits, Milan appear to be safe and sound in the front third, even without the club’s top scorer. However, Stefano Pioli was hopeful of having Ibrahimovic fit and firing for Tuesday’s handsomely-looking match-up with Inter as the Rossoneri seek their first Coppa Italia crown since 2002/03.
Since Ibra’s absence from the first-leg showdown is now a near-certainty, Milan are praying to have the 40-year-old back for their upcoming Serie A fixture against Napoli. With the Serie A title race heating up, next weekend’s clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona could prove decisive to Pioli’s bid to win the Rossoneri their first Scudetto since 2010/11.
Despite drawing their last two Serie A games against bottom-half rivals, Udinese and Salernitana, Milan are still atop the league standings, with a two-point lead on second-placed Inter. However, Napoli’s potential win at Lazio on Sunday evening would dethrone Ibrahimovic and co ahead of their head-to-head meeting next Sunday.