Zlatan is a lion in a cage, motivated to help Milan - Pioli

According to

Stefano Pioli

,

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

is like “a lion in a cage” in his attempts to come back after his injury setback. However, the

boss revealed that he will not play when they lock horns wit Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

Ibra, who is Milan’s top scorer in

this season with eight goals has sustained an Achilles tendon injury, having suffered it in the battle against

last month.

The icon was missed in Milan’s derby with Inter as the Rossoneri registered only one shot on goal until Olivier Giroud’s brace secured their victory and turned things around.

Milan will take on

in the quarter final of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, but Ibra will not be available.

Pioli, however, insisted that the 40-year-old is doing everything he can to come back sooner.

"

Zlatan is a lion in a cage,"

 he told Sportmediaset.

"His motivation is to help the team on the pitch. 

"Tomorrow, he won't be [available]; we'll see for the next ones."

Pioli also hailed Giroud’s contribution after he drew criticism notwithstanding scoring twice and extending his tally to seven this season, while becoming the first Frenchman to score a brace against Inter in Serie A.

When quizzed if his performance deflected the criticism, Pioli said:

"I don't know, the detractors are always there. What matters is the trust we have. 

"He is proving to be the footballer for whom he was purchased. [He is] a valuable player and a person of great depth who is making a great contribution to the team."

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