AC Milan vs Bari preview - Ibrahimovic - back to bread and butter against Bari

Posted Sunday, March 13, 2011 by PA

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the club must concentrate on the Serie A title and the Copa Italia after their Champions League exit at the hands of Tottenham.

Milan drew in London but went out on aggregate and must now face the rest of the season without European competition.

But Ibrahimovic wants them to concentrate on domestic matters before worrying about Europe again next season.

The Serie A leaders will treat the home match with Bari as a chance to pick up three points as their opponents are bottom of the table and face prospect of relegation.

"We're still in the running for the Serie A title and the Italian Cup, so from now on we have to concentrate on these competitions," he said.

"Now we're eying the other two trophies. Next season, I'll try it again in the Champions League with Milan.

"I'm happy here. The Champions League is not the most important thing. For me it's fundamental to feel good on and off the field, and I do here at Milan," he added on the club website, www.acmilan.com.

Ibrahimovic's sentiments were echoed by team-mate Pato who added: "Now it's not the right time to think about the next edition of the Champions League, there's Serie A to worry about."

Bari go into the game as firm underdogs but captain and goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet believes they could cause an upset.

He said: "Milan are strong, secure to win championship but why not put a spanner in the works?

"What is at stake is our dignity. Our situation is critical. Needless to say the maths do not condemn us but it will be very difficult (to avoid relegation)."