GdS: A ‘clear field’ for Fonseca – why Ibrahimovic has been absent

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s position at AC Milan has been a heavily debated topic, but it seems he has been looking at the bigger picture recently.

There have been reports periodically about Ibrahimovic’s wavering appearances at Milanello throughout the year, and with him absent from the training ground last week, the questions about his position rose once again.

However, it seems that this was a tactical move made by the Swede. As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, Ibra had been at Milanello before the Milan derby, where the tension was palpable to support the team and show his closeness.

His next appearance was much different, though, even if reports suggested that he would be present to deliver a team talk similarly last week. Instead, that meeting was postponed until this week, and the report has suggested that this is to help Paulo Fonseca.

In Zlatan’s eyes, his interference could add pressure to Fonseca, or diminish some of his authority. This allows the Portuguese head coach to solve his own problems, rather than being the knight in shining armour.

More importantly, though, the Swede wanted to give more credibility to the head coach, allowing the team to see him as the leader, rather than anyone else.