Zlatan Ibrahimovic Tests Positive for Coronavirus

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the club’s Europa League third qualifying round tie against Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt.

Milan have confirmed that all other players and staff have tested negative, with Ibrahimovic already in quarantine at home until he no longer poses a risk of infection to others.

Ibrahimovic is now in quarantine at home away from Milan squad / Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

The veteran Swede is the second Milan player to be ruled out of Thursday’s night game with coronavirus following a positive test for defender Leo Duarte in an earlier round of testing.

In his second spell with Milan, Ibrahimovic signed a fresh one-year deal for the 2020/21 season at the end of August, having made a significant impact last season on his initial short-term contract.

He was Milan’s joint second top scorer, only one behind top scorer Ante Rebic, despite only joining the club in January. The 38-year-old, who turns 39 next week, has already netted three times in all competitions this season, including both an opening 2-0 Serie A win over Bologna.

Ibrahimovic has scored three goals in two games this season / Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Ibrahimovic got Milan’s first goal of the new season in the last round of the Europa League against Irish side Shamrock Rovers. His absence against Bodo/Glimt will therefore come as a blow for Stefano Pioli’s team, but the Rossoneri should still expect to prevail in the one-off tie at San Siro.

If Milan are successful against the Norwegians, they face a subsequent playoff round on the road against the winner of the third round tie between Turkey’s Besiktas and Portugal’s Rio Ave.

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