Inter Milan v Barcelona: Zlatan Ibrahimovic hopes to make a winning return to the San Siro to face his former club Inter Milan tomorrow when Barcelona begin their Champions League title defence.
The Swedish striker, who was last season’s top scorer in Serie A, opted to sign for European champions Barca this summer. Ibrahimovic notched his first goal with Barca in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Getafe and he hopes to fire his new team to victory in Italy.
“I’m not sure whether I will celebrate if I score,” said Ibrahimovic. “It depends on the emotions I feel at the time. What I do know is that I will do everything to score, whether it is against Inter or any other rival because Barca is now my team.”
The Giuseppe Meazza stadium will be sold out for tomorrow’s Group F clash with fans wanting to witness the duel between former Barca forward Samuel Eto’o, who moved to the San Siro as part of Ibrahimovic deal, and the Swedish frontman.
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho praised Eto’o, who scored the opener in Inter’s 2-0 win over Parma on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
“Eto’o is the best striker in the world,” said Mourinho. “Last year it was Ibrahimovic but now it’s Eto’o. All my players are the best.”
Ibrahimovic believes Mourinho’s Inter has done a fantastic job in the summer transfer market by luring the likes of former Genoa stars Diego Milito and Thiago Motta. He even thinks his former team is the favourite to win the European crown this season.
“It’s a very strong team,” he said. “It’s stronger than in previous years as Inter have reinforced the squad with the signing of important players. That makes them favourites for the Serie A title and for the Champions League.”
Mourinho knows his team faces a stern test but is confident they can upset the Primera Liga champions.
“Barcelona can play with their eyes shut,” said the Portuguese tactician. “They only made one or two changes in pre-season and kept the same core of players.
“We are a team in construction but the game starts 0-0 and we believe we can win this game.”
Eto’o agrees with his coach. He said: “Barca is the best team in the world. Few teams can beat them. But we can do it, we have the possibility to win.”
Ibrahimovic expects a balanced encounter between two sides that are managed by two coaches who are very thorough in their preparations.
Pep Guardiola won the Champions League, Primera Liga and Copa del Rey treble in his first season as coach while Mourinho led Inter to the Scudetto in his debut campaign in Serie A.
“Mourinho prepares the game very well,” said Ibrahimovic. “He is very clear about what the team needs to do, I know he will be ready and will do everything to win.
“Guardiola’s case is similar as he looks at every detail when preparing a game.”
Inter, who are fourth in the Serie A standings after three games played, have lost just one of their 15 home encounters against Spanish opposition.
