Taye Taiwo Says Ibrahimovic Puts Himself Under Pressure In Champions League Games

HJK Helsinki wing-back Taye Taiwo has suggested that PSG star Zlatan Ibrahimovic puts himself under so much pressure to deliver during the knockout rounds of the Champions League and freaks out during the matches.

The Sweden international has plundered goals aplenty for Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG in league matches but has only managed 8 goals in 37 matches in the knockout rounds, statistically poor for a player of his status.

“From the last 16 on, I could sense he was more nervous. In fact, Zlatan had an obsession to be the saviour,” said Taye Taiwo to French sports daily L’Equipe.

“Not compared to what the newspapers say. He did not care, but for his own esteem.

“When it was a bad game, he was in the shower and stayed in his corner. In this case, it was not worth talking about it.”

In the Round of 16, Game 1 against Chelsea, Ibrahimovic opened scoring in the 39th minute as the Parisians beat their guests 2-1.

Taye Taiwo and the Swede were teammates at AC Milan during the 2011-2012 season.

Igho Kingsley