Fabio Capello has claimed that he helped Zlatan Ibrahimovic to become more ruthless in front of goal when they worked together at Juventus. Furthermore, the Italian also revealed that he told the forward he’s similar to Dutch great Marco van Basten
The pair were both at Juventus between 2004 and 2006 and Capello stated that Ibrahimovic was initially more focused on providing assists than finding the net.
As reported by Football Italia, Capello said: “When I went to Juventus, I asked the club to sign him, as I’d never seen a player with his physical strength and technical qualities too.
“After a month at Juve, I noticed he was not kicking the ball very well and wasn’t good in the air. He is a very proud guy and worked every day to improve himself. He stayed behind after training sessions for extra target practice.
“At the time, the goal was not in his DNA, as he had more fun providing assists. He followed my advice to be more determined in front of goal and turned into a real hitman.
“He is humble, but also really likes being Number One.
“It’s absolutely true. After two months that he was at Juve, I told him that technically he had the same qualities as Van Basten and showed him the movements in the box that the Dutchman made.
“He understood what was needed and I think the results are there for all to see.”
Although he is now in the closing stages of his career, Ibrahimovic has frequently demonstrated his clinical nature in front of goal, most notably during his spell at Paris Saint-Germain, when he scored 113 goals in 122 league appearances.
Ibrahimovic has now scored 400 club goals in total during his career and hit a brace in Manchester United’s victory over Swansea City last weekend to bring a barren spell to an end.
The former Sweden international has won the league title in four different countries, but United will have to start performing with greater consistency if he is to lift the Premier League trophy this campaign.
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