LONDON: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has warned LA Galaxy fans not to expect a a stunning show every time he takes the pitch.
The super Swede made an instant impression at his new club last week, when on debut he came off the bench to score twice, the first a brilliant volley from 35 yards, to seal a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Los Angeles FC.
He has spent everyday since since then hearing from fans and media who still can’t believe debut, something straight out of a Hollywood movie, actually happened.
But keen to manage expectations Ibrahimovic has told fans he is not, despite what he has said in the past, superman.
“Do I expect scoring goals like this in every game? No,” Ibrahimovic said.
“I can already kill the buzz. Every week will not be like this. Play good, prepare good, win the games, and that’s the way it works. ... A crazy game like that again? I hope not. I hope we can control the game better and play under control.
“I don’t expect crazy things every game. I’ll try, but it’s not often it goes in.”
The 36-year-old is set to make his second appearance for the Galaxy against Kansas City today. But Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid has not decided whether his Swedish superstar will make his first start. While Ibrahimovic looked invincible in his debut, the game was his first since Dec. 26 with Manchester United, and he will need time to reach full match fitness.
And as for Zlatan’s opening goal , nobody in LA is tired of watching the highlight just yet.
“As a coach, you learn not to get too high and not to get too low, but certainly that goal is as good a goal as you’ll see — ever,” Schmid said. “As I said when we showed the guys again on tape on Tuesday, I got goose bumps all over again. It’s a great goal.”
Ibrahimovic boldly declared his intention to win trophies when he arrived in Los Angeles last month, but he also wants to fit in well with his new team and its disparate collection of players gathered from Europe, South America and the US. And it is clear he has impressed with his work ethic and interest in every member of the roster. French wing Romain Alessandrini, who could return from injury Sunday, has already noticed the change in training.
“When you’re (playing with) a player like that, you give more than you have to give, because you have to be perfect with him,” Alessandrini said. “You have to give him the good ball. I think it’s good for everybody, because everybody wants to give more than they give.”