Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been included in the AC Milan squad for Thursday's Europa League qualifier away to Shamrock Rovers.
Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has named the 38-year old striker in his 20-man travelling party for the game at Tallaght Stadium.
Ibrahimovic had been a late withdrawal from the Rossoneri's friendly with Brescia at the weekend, but Pioli insists he's ready for Rovers, "He has fully recovered, he is very well mentally, he’s involved as always. I found him as he is, competitive and fully available."
Recent signings Sandro Tonali, Brahim Diaz and Ciprian Tatarusanu are also bound for Dublin.
🚨 It’s finally here! Our first squad list of the season: #RoversMilan 📋
🚨 Ecco i convocati per la nostra prima gara ufficiale della stagione 📋#SempreMilan #UEL pic.twitter.com/hhC67yUIwc— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 16, 2020
Pioli's drummed it into his players that Rovers away, in a single-legged tie, will be no easy task.
His side have only had three-weeks of pre-season preparation, whereas Rovers were tossed back into the cut and thrust of SSE Airtricity League action at the beginning of August.
"In sport, if you take something for granted, you start with the wrong approach," Pioli said, "We know the difficulties of the first match, the opponents play good football, very proactive.
“It’s a team that are in better shape physically, we must not only think about the difficulties we will encounter but of the opportunity that we will have.
“We have some key players out but those who will travel today are ready for this difficult match."
Returning Milan to European football's top table remains Pioli's ultimate aim, but he says Rovers will provide a major stumbling block on Thursday, "It has always been the natural habitat of this glorious club. The goal of returning to the Champions League is our main priority.
"We are ready, aware of the difficulties. Shamrock are doing well, they’re an intense team, we will have to approach the match well and stay focused for all 95 minutes."
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