The Swedish star put his side two goals ahead at half-time but that wouldn’t prove enough after a shocking second-half showing
Zlatan Ibrahimovic said AC Milan “stopped playing” as the star striker lamented the Rossoneri’s collapse after they surrendered a two-goal lead against city rivals Inter in a thrilling Derby della Madonnina.
Milan’s 2-0 half-time lead was wiped out in a matter of minutes by Serie A title hopefuls Inter, who turned the derby on its head with four unanswered goals to sensationally win 4-2 at San Siro on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic provided the assist for Ante Rebic’s 40th-minute opener before becoming the oldest Serie A goalscorer in Milan derby history in first-half stoppage time.
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Milan, however, were unable to hold on against Inter – who produced a stunning comeback to leapfrog defending champions Juventus atop the table.
“It’s difficult to explain what happened,” the 38-year-old Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia after scoring his third goal since returning to Milan in January.
“At half-time we told ourselves, the first 15 minutes going back out there will be crucial, and in that 15-minute spell we conceded two goals.
“We stopped playing, the team stopped believing, we stopped pressing, didn’t pass it around enough. From the equaliser onwards, everything collapsed.
“I think a lot of it is down to experience, because you must know how to control a game at 2-0 up, not just winning at the end.
“It’s strange, because our first half was practically perfect. I expected more from Inter and the first-half performance did not look like a team worthy of second place. They did after the break.”
Inter are ahead of Juve on goal difference after 23 games, while AC Milan are 10th and 10 points adrift of the Champions League places.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli admitted he was angry with his side for not capitalising on what was a fantastic first 45 minutes.
“I am angry with my players, because we had some defensive duties in those situations and the moment we let it go, we were punished,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a real pity, as we were in control and outplaying a strong team, making it look like there was never a 19-point gap between us. We had defensive duties and we did not perform them.
“It was absolutely our best first half of the season, but we lost a derby that we had been winning, and we must build on the qualities we showed in that first half. The match must be analysed on the whole.”