FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.12.2009 13:49

Ibrahimovic is happier than ever

Anna Segura

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is having one of his best spells since coming to Barça. He also has a good chance of topping the goal-scoring table for La Liga as he is currently second on ten strikes.

The longer he’s at Barça, the happier Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels. That came across at his press conference this Monday lunchtime at the Joan Gamper sports facility. He smiled a lot and was particularly tickled when in one of his answers he uttered what has virtually become his catchphrase: “Molto contento” (very happy).

Goals galore

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played in 12 of Barça’s 14 League encounters so far this season and has found the net ten times, just one behind current top scorer, Valencia’s David Villa. Barça’s Swedish striker hopes to keep up his goal scoring streak and says that putting the ball away is a lot easier in Guardiola’s side “because the team attacks a lot” and there is “a different mindset” to the one to be found in Italy.

Choose one

Ibra thinks that all his ten League goals are important “whether they’re 30-yard strikes or tap-ins”. However, he did say that if he had to choose one he’d pick his volley against Real Madrid, “because of the atmosphere you get at one of the world’s most important games”.

Comparisons with Italy

Ibra is gradually finding out that football in Spain and Italy are different things. This is especially true at Barça, he says, “where people want to play elegantly and score goals” whereas in Italy “one nil’s enough”.

Growing

Even though he is the Catalan outfit’s top goal scorer in the League, Ibrahimovic believes he still hasn’t reached his limit: “I can play better and grow a bit more.” He thinks he’ll be able to do that with time and more freedom on the pitch.

The Messi-Ibra connection

The Messi-Ibrahimovic combination has already created lots of goals, so it comes as no surprise that the Swede is really happy with his strike partner: “I’m sure the fans love it too because we get to do some unbelievable things”.

As for the Golden Ball Messi picked up on Sunday, Ibra says the Argentine has “had an incredible year” and recognised the work done by his team-mates: “the Golden Ball is for the entire side after doing the treble.”

Dynamo game

On Wednesday Barça has a crucial game in Kiev. “It’s a great chance to top our CL group,” said Ibra. “However, it’s going to be a tough game.”