Zlatan Ibrahimovic set up two first-half goals but was sent off for dissent as his AC Milan side earned a 3-1 win at Parma in Serie A on Saturday.
Milan eased into a comfortable two-goal lead at the break thanks to goals from Ante Rebic in the eighth minute – a strike that was brilliantly set up by Ibrahimovic – and a fine Franck Kessie finish on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors’ task became much more difficult just before the hour mark, however, as out of the blue, Ibrahimovic was given a straight red card for something he said to the referee, much to the Swede’s bemusement.
What Ibrahimovic said to receive his eighth dismissal in Europe’s top-five leagues is unclear, as he did not even appear to be close to the referee when he brandished the red card, but it changed the complexion of the game.
Riccardo Gagliolo got Parma back into the match six minutes later, but Rafael Leao added a late third for second-placed Milan as Stefano Pioli’s team closed the gap to Inter Milan to eight points, with the league leaders facing Cagliari on Sunday.
Before the game, Milan technical director Paolo Maldini said Ibrahimovic was close to signing a new deal with the club.
