Zlatan is looking to fire Milan to victory at Roma. Here's how he's fared before in this fixture
- Adam Salisbury
- 26 February 2021
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be hoping to banish the disappointment from last week's derby day defeat to Inter Milan, when his side travel to the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma.
AC Milan's 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Inter has opened up a four-point deficit at the top of Serie A, which makes Sunday's game in Rome a must-win game for the visitors.
When the whistle is blown on Sunday evening, it will be the 50th time the two teams have met in Serie A. Both sides have won 16 matches, with 17 draws, so these games tend to be close.
Roma are unbeaten in their last three games, so it won't be easy for Stefano Pioli's side.
Let's have a gander at the numbers that matter.
Stat Attack
Ibrahimovic sits fifth in the Serie A goalscoring standings, netting 14 times so far this season.
The Swedish striker has played against Roma on 20 occasions in all competitions, and has come out victorious 13 times. He has notched an impressive 12 goals against this weekend's opponents.
So far this season, AC Milan average 2.16 goals per match, whereas Roma average slightly fewer with 2.12 goals per game, so you can expect fireworks.
The side from San Siro have lost their last two league games, so Ibra will be looking to help get his side back on track this weekend.
Memorable Matches
AC Milan 3-3 Roma
Serie A
26 October 2020
It didn't take long for Ibrahimovic to hit his stride and confirm his liking for his opponents.
Milan took the lead after just two minutes, as the six-foot-five striker needed every inch of his frame to claw Rafael Leao's through ball away from Roma 'keeper Antonio Mirante and into the net.
It didn't take long for Roma to hit back though, and they were level 12 minutes later, courtesy of former Manchester City front man, Edin Dzeko.
The Bosnian rose highest at Lorenzo Pellegrini's corner and made no mistake of heading home into an empty net.
AC Milan hit the front just after the break after Alexis Saelemaekers smashed home from close range, but Roma equalised with Jordan Veretout's penalty after 71 minutes.
Rossoneri could've been forgiven for thinking they had won it, when their talisman scored from the spot to notch his second of the game after 79 minutes, but Roma were in no mood to lie down and be beaten, and they equalised five minutes later through Marash Kumbulla's flying finish at the back post.
AC Milan 2-1 Roma
Serie A
24 March 2012
This game was during Ibrahimovic's first spell at his current club, but again it was typical Ibra as he netted another brace against Roma.
Roma actually took the lead in this one, with the former Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo poking home from close range.
It didn't take long after the break for AC Milan to level up proceedings.
Ibrahimovic (who else?) was the man to send the 'keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, after former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze handled the ball in his own penalty area.
And after 83 minutes, the Swede was the hero on the night for Milan. Ibrahimovic lofted the ball over the Roma goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, like a rugby full-back punting long, and managed to head the ball home after a good turn of foot to get on the end of his own assist.
Roma 2-3 AC Milan
Serie A
29 October 2011
Yet another Serie A classic between these two sides, and yet another starring role played by Ibrahimovic.
It was he who gave the San Siro side the lead after 17 minutes, rising to nod home former Liverpool midfielder, Alberto Aquilani's cross.
Roma were soon level, however, through Nicolas Burdisso's header from Miralem Pjanic's corner.
Milan legend Alessandro Nesta gave the visitors the lead once more, after the Italian found space in the area to head home Robinho's corner.
Ibrahimovic and Aquilani linked up again late in the second half to give the visitors some breathing room. It was the former again to head home from six yards out.
Roma did score again, but it was only a consolation goal, as Bojan fired home from close range.
Milan would go on to finish second in La Liga, behind Juventus.
Tip for the fixture
It's fair to say that you can expect fireworks in this one, with some cracking games being played out between the two teams in the not too distant past.
AC Milan will aim to get back on track, and for them to win and both teams to score can be found at 7/2 with Paddy Power (price correct at the time of writing).
