13 League titles in four countries namely : Netherlands (Ajax, 2), Italy (Juventus 2, Inter 3 and AC Milan 1), Spain (Barcelona 1), and France (PSG 4) are the achievements of no other than Swedish and PSG's striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Described as one of the best striker's ever to have played the game, Zlatan really has a few equals in the game . Having scored more than 105 league goals in 117 games for PSG in four years, one thing though is missing in the Swede's trophy cabinet and that is the UEFA Champions League trophy .
Zlatan has been unable to win the trophy in all his club's which has turned out to be a holy grail. With the likes of Inter Milan, Zlatan missed the trophy in 2010 after he moved in 2009 to Barcelona. Also Zlatan missed the opportunity in 2011 after he moved to A.C. Milan in 2010 from Barcelona as the Catalan club won it that season. On several occasions the Bosnian born Swede has come close but has never reached the final as his closest shot was in the semi-final with Barcelona in 2010.
In his current club (PSG), Zlatan has come close twice in the quarter-final before being eliminated on each occasion by his former team Barcelona (2013 and 2015). This season, Zlatan has been in exceptional form scoring 30 league goals in 26 games outshining Uruguayan team mate Edison Cavani since 2013. Also in the Champions League, he has scored five goals in nine games and is the live-wire of the French capital club.
It is based on these record's that it's shocking to his fans that Zlatan was below- average in the game against Manchester City on Wednesday. Though he scored a goal in the 2-2 draw at home, his performance was laboured as be missed a penalty and shot in the sky when he had the goal at his mercy. His performance could equally be his worst this season as he failed to deliver when it mattered most. In a competition he has tried and failed to win on numerous occasions since he started his footballing career, Zlatan appears to have bottled it .
While it is difficult to say PSG won't progress to the semi-final, it is easy to say they will have to improve on their first leg showing against Manchester City. Zlatan had a torrid game and one he struggled to impress by his standards and as his contract is set to expire in the summer with rumours of a move to China, it would be unfair to record that despite amassing unprecedented league trophies , Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to achieve a similar success in the Champions League.
It is still early to write off PSG but one thing is certain, Zlatan and his team mates have a second chance to make things right in the second leg.
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