Ibrahimovic Admits He Intentionally Elbowed Azpilicueta

DBasia.news – November’s international break has ended. Even so, there was one interesting moment in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying match between Spain and Sweden, on November 15th.

Spain won the match at the Estadio de La Cartuja from Alvaro Morata’s only goal in the 86th minute. Spain, typical of their style of play, dominated with 73 percent possession and 12 attempted kicks and four on target.

Sweden, despite being strengthened by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was unable to release a single kick on target. Sweden also had to go through the play-off phase to play in the 2022 World Cup which was held in Qatar.

In that match there was a moment when Ibrahimovic elbowed Spain defender and Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta to receive a yellow card and miss the first leg of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers play-off.

Ibrahimovic spoke up about it and admitted he did it on purpose. Ibra did not want to admit he was wrong and explained the reason for doing so, because his teammate was ‘harassed’ by Azpilicueta.

“The other day in the national team, I tackled (Azpilicueta). I did it on purpose,” Ibrahimovic told The Guardian.

“I’m not ashamed to say it because he did something stupid to my players. Be big to my players.”

“That’s stupid, but I’m going to do it anyway to make him understand, ‘You can’t do that! You don’t have the balls to do it to me. But I’ll show you what happens if you do it to me.’ That’s why I did it.”

“What can he say? He won’t say it to me but he will say it to my players – who won’t do anything because he’s too good. It’s not a good thing for me, but I’ll do it anyway. That is me. I’m not ashamed to say it.”

“It’s not about missing the play-offs. It’s about making the guy understand that you’re not looking for trouble from someone lying down (on the ground). You don’t attack a dog that doesn’t talk.”

“Attack capable of doing something. It’s too easy to choose a teammate of mine who is 20 years old and very good. I hope he understands now,” said the AC Milan striker.