Zlatan flattened as Udinese go crazy

Mueez Ajao

– AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest scorer in Serie A history, although his side lost 3-1 to Udinese.

– Ibrahimovic, 41, scored a retaken penalty at the end of the first half after his first effort had been saved by home goalkeeper Marco Silvestri.

Introducing the oldest goalscorer in #SerieA💎 history:
👑 𝐙𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍 👑 pic.twitter.com/6E3cz5CbK7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 18, 2023

– It was the Swede’s first goal since returning from a serious knee injury.

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– But Udinese scored through Roberto Pereyra’s low shot, a goal from Beto in first half injury-time before Kingsley Ehizibue added a third on 70 minutes.

– Ibrahimovic helped Milan win the Serie A title last season before needing surgery in the summer on an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

– He only returned to action in February and made three substitute appearances before he started this match to become Milan’s oldest captain.

– Ibrahimovic then had the chance to secure another record when Jaka Bijol was adjudged to have handled the ball following a video assistant referee check.

– However, Ibrahimovic’s original penalty was saved only for it to be retaken following encroachment from the hosts and he blasted in his second opportunity.

– That took the striker, aged 41 years and 166 days, past the record held by Alessandro Costacurta (41 years, 25 days) as the league’s oldest ever goalscorer.

– The hosts had scored after only six minutes with Pereyra’s shot into the corner before Ibrahimovic’s equaliser, with Udinese coach Andrea Sottil sent off for arguing against the retaken penalty.

– But Udinese regained the lead minutes later with Beto scoring from Isaac Success’ pullback and Ehizibue sealing the victory after good work from Destiny Udogie, on loan from Tottenham.

– The defeat leaves AC Milan fourth, with Udinese up to eighth.

– Nevertheless, Ibrahimovic’s return to the starting line-up will be a massive boost for Milan, who face Serie A leaders Napoli in a two-legged Champions League quarter-final in April.