Pioli plays down Ibrahimovic anger over substitution

Milan, July 19: Stefano Pioli said he needed to manage Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Milan star looked angry at being substituted against Bologna.

Ibrahimovic provided an assist before being taken off just after the hour-mark of the 5-1 Serie A victory at San Siro on Saturday (July 18).

The 38-year-old appeared annoyed at being substituted, but coach Pioli said he was simply managing Ibrahimovic.

"He said something, but honestly I didn't understand. It's also normal," he told DAZN.

"I have to manage him, playing so much I need everyone to be well."

Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismael Bennacer, Ante Rebic and Davide Calabria were on the scoresheet for Milan.

🔝 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 🔝#MilanBologna #SempreMilan @LeFrecce pic.twitter.com/EuuTqlkmro

— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 18, 2020

Sitting sixth in Serie A, Milan are unbeaten in nine games since returning from the coronavirus-enforced break and Pioli is happy with his side's form.

"The team is having fun and this is positive. We played a high-level game, we were good," he said.

"It means that we are well and we have gained confidence."

Milan are in action again on Tuesday, when they take on Sassuolo.