Zlatan Ibrahimovic Claims El Trafico Could be Even Bigger

Zlatan Ibrahimovic stated that he believes El Trafico derby has the potential to be one of the biggest soccer games in the world.

Both LAFC and LA Galaxy are entering El Trafico derby with high hopes and winning ambitions. The long-awaited derby is ahead of us, and the media hype is hitting the ceilings.

Even though this is only the fourth game between the two sides, it feels like this rivalry has much deeper roots. Los Angeles is not known as a soccer city, but that is slowly changing.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks that El Trafico has a nice future. The Swedish international participated in many epic clashes and European rivalries, as he played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, Manchester United, etc. He knows what one game needs to offer to be interesting. In his opinion, meetings between his Galaxy and LAFC have everything in order to be significant in the world of soccer.

“I mean, it’s the fourth game now,” the LA Galaxy star stated. “In the future, they will look back at all these games we’ve played, and it will be historical games. The first game, I don’t think people will forget that. And that will stay on. … In the future, it will be even bigger.”

His Galaxy is in a tough situation. Despite the fact that they hold third place in the West, their struggles are apparent. In the latest five games at home Ibrahimovic and the boys lost four times. And the opponents were mostly below average. Because of that, LAFC now has 12 points more and is sitting at the top alone.

Three points are imperative for the hosts here, not only to keep tracking the local rival, but also to avoid further slipping in the standings. Seattle is in front of them, but Minnesota and San Jose are breathing down their neck.

Meanwhile, LAFC is enjoying one hell of a campaign so far. They suffered only two defeats throughout the entire season, have by far the best attack in league with 53 scored goals, or 2.65 per match. Carlos Vela is probably the best player and the frontrunner for the MVP award (although Ibrahimovic isn’t convinced in that), and in general, the entire unit is working perfectly.

“We’re confident in our football, we’re confident in our ability to step on the field in every game and try to create chances and find ways to push up the field and win the ball back.” FC’s coach Bob Bradley commented.

“We never go into any game thinking about a draw.”

Bob Bradley and #LAFC are ready for Friday. pic.twitter.com/QSRHC6Iqpl

— LAFC (@LAFC) July 17, 2019

LAFC is superb on the road recently, with just one defeat in five matches, and with 14 goals scored in the remaining four wins. Whether is that because of Vela, or the team’s overall effort, it doesn’t matter as long as they continue to perform in this manner.

Bradley isn’t allowing for his team to relax. Although they are the favorites in this one according to the majority of the bookies and the experts, he understands the value of this event. Regardless of the standings, a triumph is the only goal.

“You go through the season, and do everything to prepare for each game,” Bradley said. ” But certain ones get circled.”

The latest El Trafico took place in August last year, also at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The spectators saw a draw, 1-1, with two best players netting, Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela.

"[Carlos Vela] is playing in MLS and he's in his prime. When I was 29 where was I?"

Ahead of El Tráfico, Zlatan says he's the best player in MLS "by far" 👀 (via @ahoraonuncaespn) pic.twitter.com/nAqYrM47sB

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 18, 2019

The two fantastic athletes are among the best scorers in the league. Vela is leading the goalscoring list with 19 hits, while Ibra has 13 of them but with fewer matches played. The recent comments of the Swedish striker in which he claims that he still is the best player in the MLS and rules out the remarks on Vela’s superiority will only add fuel on the field.

El Trafico starts at 10 pm ET.