Milan made it nine games undefeated and claimed their seventh win in that time with a narrow 2-1 victory away at Sassuolo, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring both goals.
Up until recently, it was widely expected that former RB Leipzig head coach Ralf Rangnick would take over Milan this summer, but with the team's huge upturn in form they have apparently decided not to appoint the Austrian, but rather to grant Stefano Pioli a contract extension.
The whole situation is hazy at best.
On the pitch, though, the Rossoneri, and veteran striker Ibrahimovic continue to flourish.
What was Ibrahimovic's overall display like?
📷 Match Snapshot
Both Zlatan's goals came in the first half.
⚽ ⏱️ 19' Nineteen minutes into the game, he made it 1-0 Milan after initially playing a part in the build-up to spread the play with a pass down the right before making his way into the penalty area. From there, he latched on to a Hakan Calhanoglu curled cross to stoop down and send a diving header past the keeper.
Moments later, he had the opportunity to score again with a header, but goalkeeper Andrea Consigli was equal to it.
Forty-two minutes in, Sassuolo equalised with a penalty but their time on level terms was short-lived as Milan reclaimed the lead five minutes later.
⚽ ⏱️ 47' Ibrahimovic holds his run expertly to avoid the offside trap before running on to a pass from Calhanoglu which allows him to break into the box, dance around the goalkeeper, and slot into the empty net. Sprightly stuff for a 38-year-old.
Sassuolo 1-2 Milan: Full Player Ratings and Statistics
In the second half, he very nearly scored his hat-trick goal after exchanging a lovely one-two with Franck Kessie inside the box, only for the ball to just run away from him into the keepers arms before he could get the shot away.
The Swede had 54 touches of the ball, won the majority of his duels (6/10), the majority of his aerial duels (2/3), and sent 16 passes into the final third.
He earned a 8.6 FC Rating for his overall performance.
〽️ Rating Week-on-Week
✔️ IMPROVEMENT
Ibrahimovic started the 5-1 win against Bologna but was unable to get on the scoresheet, instead recording one assist, before being replaced just before the hour mark for a 6.6 FC Rating.
The performance against Sassuolo represented a boost to the aforementioned 8.6 FC Rating.
🗝️ Key Stats
Ibrahimovic match stats
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
| FC Rating | 8.6 | 🏆 FC Man of the Match |
| Mins Played | 90 | |
| Touches | 54 | |
| Touches In Box | 7 | Rank #1 |
| Shots | 5 | |
| On Target | 3 | |
| Goals | 2 | |
| Final Third Passes | 16 |
What Next?
Milan are now up to fifth in Serie A and although Champions League qualification is out of reach, this impressive return to form is promising for next season - whether it be Rangnick or Pioli in charge.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 
Hakan Çalhanoğlu 
Milan 
