“We Killed Ourselves!” – Zlatan Ibrahimovic Slams AC Milan for Imploding in Disastrous Champions League Exit to ‘Not Better Than Us’ Feyenoord
In a highly emotional and fiery outburst, Zlatan Ibrahimović tore into his AC Milan teammates following their humiliating exit from the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, calling the club’s implosion “self-inflicted” and questioning the mentality that led to their disastrous collapse. Milan’s defeat at the hands of Feyenoord in the group stages was an outcome that no one could have predicted, least of all a player with as much belief in his own and his team’s abilities as Zlatan Ibrahimović.
In a season where Milan were expected to challenge for a deep run in Europe, the failure to even reach the Round of 16 has sent shockwaves through the club. Ibrahimović, who has long been the vocal leader of Milan’s dressing room, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance, delivering a blunt and damning critique after Milan’s final match of the group stage – a 2-1 loss to RB Leipzig that sealed their fate. This resulted in Milan finishing third in the group, behind both Leipzig and Feyenoord, and leaving them with no chance of advancing to the knockout rounds.
The Swedish striker’s passionate comments underscored the immense disappointment at the club, which is accustomed to being a European powerhouse. Milan’s Champions League exit – to a team like Feyenoord, whom Zlatan believes were “not better than us” – has exposed deep issues within the team, its tactics, and its overall mentality.
The Impact of Ibrahimović’s Comments
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s criticism was not just about the results but also about the attitude and mental strength that he felt were lacking from the squad. Known for his fierce competitive nature and unshakable self-belief, Zlatan has never been afraid to speak his mind, even if it meant ruffling feathers. After Milan’s dramatic elimination, he made it clear that the team’s inability to close out games, their defensive errors, and their overall lack of consistency had effectively “killed” their own chances in the tournament.
“We killed ourselves,” Ibrahimović said, visibly frustrated during the post-match interview. “Feyenoord? They were not better than us. But we made mistakes, mistakes that we shouldn’t be making at this level. If you don’t have the mentality to fight for everything, to give your all in every match, then you don’t deserve to be in the Champions League. And we didn’t deserve to go through.”
Zlatan’s words reflect the emotional toll this failure has taken on him, as he has been a leader on and off the pitch for Milan. The striker has often been the face of the club’s resurgence in recent years, and his competitive spirit was supposed to be the beacon that guided Milan through tough challenges, particularly in Europe. However, the reality was far from that.
Milan’s Champions League Journey: A Cautionary Tale
Milan entered the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League with renewed optimism. Under manager Stefano Pioli, the team had shown promise in Serie A, boasting a blend of experienced players like Ibrahimović, Olivier Giroud, and Simon Kjær, alongside younger talents like Rafael Leão and Theo Hernández. The expectation was that Milan, with their rich European history, would at least navigate through the group stages and into the knockout rounds.
However, their European campaign became a nightmare almost from the start. The group was relatively challenging but not insurmountable. Alongside Feyenoord, they had RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk as their group-stage opponents. While Feyenoord were viewed as the least formidable team, Milan could not afford to underestimate them.
Group Stage Stumbles
- Opening Draw with Shakhtar Donetsk: Milan began the group stages with a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, a match in which they should have claimed all three points. Instead, they looked sluggish and lacked the clinical edge required to finish the game off. Milan dominated possession, but they struggled to break down Shakhtar’s defense and paid the price with a late equalizer.
- Home Loss to Feyenoord: The match against Feyenoord at the San Siro was perhaps the most significant moment of Milan’s disastrous campaign. In what was expected to be a straightforward win for the Italian giants, Feyenoord emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. Milan were outclassed and outplayed in many respects. Feyenoord’s counter-attacking football exploited Milan’s high defensive line, and they capitalized on mistakes that Milan simply could not afford. After the match, Ibrahimović was clear in his analysis: “We gave them the game. They didn’t take it from us. We handed it to them. Mistakes, lack of focus… this is not Milan. Not the Milan I know.”
- Struggles Against Leipzig: Milan’s struggles against RB Leipzig were equally alarming. A 2-1 defeat at home put Milan in a must-win situation for the final matchday. But it was not just the loss that hurt; it was the inability to create clear opportunities in the second half and the sloppy defending that allowed Leipzig to exploit Milan’s weaknesses.
Ibrahimović’s Leadership and Milan’s Mentality Crisis
Ibrahimović’s frustrations were rooted in more than just results. His comments pointed to a broader issue that has plagued Milan: a lack of leadership and a failure to perform under pressure. Zlatan, known for his unrivaled confidence and ability to inspire his teammates, pointed out that the squad simply didn’t have the mental fortitude needed for elite-level competition.
“We talk about the big teams, the big players, the big moments. But where were we when it mattered?” he said. “Champions League is not about talent alone; it’s about mentality. And we didn’t have it.”
This mentality gap was evident when Milan needed to bounce back from setbacks. In pivotal moments during the group stage, such as their clashes with Feyenoord and Leipzig, Milan seemed to collapse when faced with adversity. Defensive errors, poor decision-making, and a lack of urgency were all contributors to Milan’s premature exit.
Pioli’s Tactical Issues and Team Inconsistency
Another major criticism came towards manager Stefano Pioli. Despite Milan’s strong domestic form, Pioli’s tactics in Europe left a lot to be desired. His decision to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, even when it was clear that other teams had figured out how to nullify Milan’s attacking threats, was one of the biggest tactical mistakes of the campaign.
Pioli’s inability to rotate his squad effectively also played a part in Milan’s lack of sharpness. Key players such as Leão, Giroud, and Sandro Tonali were often overburdened with playing time, and their fatigue seemed to affect their performances on the European stage.
Milan’s inconsistency in results, both at home and away, was another factor that contributed to their downfall. While the squad boasted talent and experience, there was a clear lack of cohesion in high-stakes games. The team failed to show the fight and resilience required to thrive in such a demanding competition.
A Disastrous Conclusion: The Final Blow
In the final match of the group stage, Milan faced RB Leipzig at home. The stakes could not have been higher. Milan needed a win to have any chance of advancing, but they failed to deliver. The 2-1 defeat, coupled with their poor performances in previous matches, left them third in the group. Feyenoord, on the other hand, capitalized on their opportunities, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in their final game to seal second place in the group, ensuring their progress to the knockout rounds.
For Milan, the failure to qualify for the Round of 16 was devastating. Ibrahimović, who had invested so much passion and energy into this campaign, was left lamenting the missed opportunities and the poor decisions that ultimately cost Milan a chance at European glory.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s fiery comments are a wake-up call for AC Milan. While Feyenoord’s triumph may have been impressive, Milan’s failure to live up to expectations, coupled with a lack of leadership and tactical flexibility, has exposed deep flaws within the club. Ibrahimović’s words underscore a need for urgent reflection and a commitment to restoring Milan’s mentality, discipline, and tactical sharpness, both in Europe and domestically.
As Milan returns to the drawing board, the lessons from this failed Champions League campaign will be crucial in shaping their future. For now, however, the road ahead seems more difficult than ever as they face up to the reality of a humbling exit from the tournament.
