Watch spine-tingling moment Zlatan Ibrahimovic is applauded by San Siro as he makes AC Milan debut in 0-0 Sampdoria draw
ZLATAN IBRAHOMOVIC earned the San Siro’s loudest, proudest applause for many years as the 38-year-old legend came on for his second AC Milan debut.
The former Barcelona, Manchester United and PSG striker had one header cleared of the line and another saved as his return electrified the atmosphere in a 0-0 Serie A draw at home to Sampdoria.
But the most spine-tingling moment was when Ibrahimovic jogged on to replace Poland hitman Krzysztof Piątek after 55 minutes.
The Swede kept a face of steely concentration but must have been moved by the sheer volume of the roar around Italy’s most famous stadium.
Ex-Inter Milan hero Ibrahimovic rejoined AC from LA Galaxy over Christmas on a six-month deal.
GOAL RULED OUT
And his second-half introduction was by far the brightest thing about a tame stalemate.
Sampdoria sit just two places above the drop zone in 16th place but, following a quiet start, twice almost took the lead.
Former Southampton frontman Manolo Gabbiadini drilled wide after rounding Milan keeper and Italy team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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And Sampdoria’s Czech Republic midfielder Jakub Jankto had a strike ruled out for offside.
But Milan increasingly dominated possession.
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And Ibrahimovic twice went close to the breakthrough that would have lifted the San Siro roof even more than did his arrival on the pitch
The draw, though, means Milan lie a mediocre 12th, with just six wins from 18 games.
That’s 23 points behind leaders Juventus and 13 adrift of fourth-placed Roma.