AC Milan chief Maldini: Ibrahimovic and Giroud can play together

AC Milan chief Paolo Maldini is delighted with the state of the squad.

Ahead of victory at Sampdoria, Maldini says Milan enter the season with an improved team.

"We start from last year's base, so I would say so," Maldini said. "In tonight's line-up, there are five key players missing compared to last year, but I would like to say that the team is stronger.

"We must finish some things on the market and then the team will be complete."

On Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maldini also said: "The idea is to always let the best players play. If they are OK, why shouldn't they play together?

"They have similar physical structures but have different characteristics and Ibrahimovic can also act as an advanced playmaker."

Pietro Pellegri is arriving from Monaco and Maldini added: "It's no secret that Ibrahimovic is 40 and Giroud is 35. We are one of the youngest teams in the League and we want to continue on this path this season too.

"We must also look to the future."