The Galaxy beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 last time out, and they are top of the Western Conference with 18 points from nine games.
Next up is a trip to Austin FC, who have won three of their last four MLS fixtures.
“We want to build some momentum and keep looking at things we can keep improving,” said Vanney.
“Austin are a team that are improving, they’ve figured out a few things with their group.
“All these games on the road are difficult, we’ve got to keep taking steps forward, learning from each of these games, things we can carry on into the next game and be a little better. I’m happy with where we’re at, for sure, and the process continues.”
The Galaxy raced into a 3-0 lead against the ‘Quakes, though Vanney was disappointed with how his side failed to maintain control.
He said: “At 3-0 with an opportunity to see it off into half-time, they score a goal that helps them get back into it, so I think game management is an important piece of that.
“Again, I think inside of that, is choosing our moments when we can really force the opposition to defend in numbers in their half of the field, burn their spirit a bit or really force them to work to get the ball back so they don’t really see a great way back into the game. Sometimes we rush attacks and the game starts to open up – we need to make sure the game stays controlled because we have everything to gain from that scenario.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Emiliano Rigoni
Rigoni scored his first goal of the season last time out, netting in Austin’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. Fourteen different Austin FC players have been involved in at least one goal this year, tied with Sporting Kansas City for most in MLS in 2024.
LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil
Paintsil has a goal and an assist in each of the Galaxy’s last two matches. The last player to do so in three straight MLS matches was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, also for the Galaxy, in September 2019.
MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WIN
The Galaxy have won four of their last five matches, including the last two in a row, following a 4—3 win over San Jose on Sunday. However, they have not won three in a row in all competitions since a four-match run in August-September 2020.
Austin, on the other hand, have won three of its last four matches, including their last two at home. Austin’s only three-match home winning streak since the start of the 2022 season came in June-July 2023.
The Galaxy have lost only one of their six matches against Austin FC (W4 D1 L1), but just one of their four wins over the Verde has come in Austin (W1 D1 L1).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 51.2%
LA Galaxy – 23.3%
Draw – 25.5%
Messi is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and has been continually linked with a return to Barcelona, having left the Blaugrana in 2021.
But Inter Miami are said to be "confident" the 35-year-old will sign following the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, where he has scored in both of Argentina's group stage matches, though he would not move until the conclusion of PSG's season.
Should the move materialise, Messi would join a host of big names to ply their trade in the United States. Here are some of the most notable examples.
David Beckham
The former England captain shocked the world when he swapped Real Madrid for LA Galaxy in 2007, though his blockbuster move certainly put MLS on the map.
Beckham made 118 appearances during his five-year spell with Galaxy, scoring 20 goals, while helping the franchise to successive MLS Cup triumphs in his final two seasons.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal and France's all-time leading scorer scored 52 goals in 135 games for the New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014, helping them win the 2013 Supporters' Shield and making four All-Star appearances.
Henry also coached Montreal Impact from 2019 to 2021, guiding them into the playoffs during his only full season in charge.
David Villa
Spain's all-time leading marksman became New York City's first signing when he joined from Atletico Madrid ahead of their debut MLS season in 2015.
A four-time All-Star, Villa would go on to score 80 goals in 126 appearances before departing for Japanese side Vissel Kobe at the end of the 2018 season.
Kaka
The former Ballon d'Or winner became Orlando City's first designated player when he agreed to join the new franchise in 2014.
Kaka played 78 times for City, scoring 25 goals, while he was an All-Star in each of his three seasons.
Andrea Pirlo
A multiple Scudetto winner with Milan and Juventus, Pirlo was unable to truly leave his mark on MLS during his stint with New York City.
Nevertheless, the former Italy midfielder did help the franchise reach the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, while racking up 62 appearances and netting once.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic certainly hit the ground running after switching Manchester United for LA Galaxy, scoring twice on his debut in a 4-3 win over rivals Los Angeles FC, including a 45-yard screamer.
That set the tone for a prolific two-year spell for the former Sweden international, who netted 53 times in 58 appearances before returning to Italy for a second stint at Milan.
Wayne Rooney
England's all-time leading scorer helped D.C. United reach the play-offs in his first season after joining from Everton in 2018, while he will always be remembered for his last-ditch tackle and cross-field assist to Luciano Acosta that sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Orlando City.
Rooney scored 25 goals in 52 appearances for United and, following a spell at Derby County, he returned to the franchise as head coach in July.
Gonzalo Higuain
A league title winner with Real Madrid and Juventus, Higuain swapped Italy for the States in September 2020.
Despite missing a penalty on his debut against Philadelphia Union, the former Argentina striker went on to score 29 goals in 70 appearances before retiring at the end of the 2022 MLS season.
Messi is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and has been continually linked with a return to Barcelona, having left the Blaugrana in 2021.
But Inter Miami are said to be "confident" the 35-year-old will sign following the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, where he has scored in both of Argentina's group stage matches, though he would not move until the conclusion of PSG's season.
Should the move materialise, Messi would join a host of big names to ply their trade in the United States. Here are some of the most notable examples.
David Beckham
The former England captain shocked the world when he swapped Real Madrid for LA Galaxy in 2007, though his blockbuster move certainly put the MLS on the map.
Beckham made 118 appearances during his five-year spell with Galaxy, scoring 20 goals, while helping the franchise to successive MLS Cup triumph in his final two seasons.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal and France's all-time leading scorer scored 52 goals in 135 games for the New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014, helping them win the 2013 Supporters' Shield and making four All-Star appearances.
Henry also coached Montreal Impact from 2019 to 2021, guiding them into the playoffs during his only full season in charge.
David Villa
Spain's all-time leading marksman became New York City's first signing when he joined from Atletico Madrid ahead of their debut MLS season in 2015.
A four-time All-Star, Villa would go on to score 80 goals in 126 appearances before departing for Japanese side Vissel Kobe at the end of the 2018 season.
Kaka
The former Ballon d'Or winner became Orlando City's first designated player when he agreed to join the new franchise in 2014.
Kaka played 78 times for City, scoring 25 goals, while he was an All-Star in each of his three seasons.
Andrea Pirlo
A multiple Scudetto winner with Milan and Juventus, Pirlo was unable to truly leave his mark on the MLS during his stint with New York City.
Nevertheless, the former Italy midfielder did help the franchise reach the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, while racking up 62 appearances and netting once.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic certainly hit the ground running after switching Manchester United for LA Galaxy, scoring twice on his debut in a 4-3 win over rivals Los Angeles FC, including a 45-yard screamer.
That set the tone for a prolific two-year spell for the former Sweden international, who netted 53 times in 58 appearances before returning to Italy for a second stint at Milan.
Wayne Rooney
England's all-time leading scorer helped D.C. United reach the play-offs in his first season after joining from Everton in 2018, while he will always be remembered for his last-ditch tackle and cross-field assist to Luciano Acosta that sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Orlando City.
Rooney scored 25 goals in 52 appearances for United and, following a spell at Derby County, he returned to the franchise as head coach in July.
Gonzalo Higuain
A league title winner with Real Madrid and Juventus, Higuain swapped Italy for the States in September 2020.
Despite missing a penalty on his debut against Philadelphia Union, the former Argentina striker went on to score 29 goals in 70 appearances before retiring at the end of the 2022 MLS season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be a Milan player again in the 2020-21 season after signing a new contract with the Serie A club.
Raiola, one of football's most recognisable agents, was the representative of a host of household names including Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Raiola had been in a critical condition at a Milan hospital. Reports of his death circulated in the Italian media on Thursday, though this speculation was furiously denied by a spokesperson.
However, a statement released by Raiola's family on Saturday confirmed he had passed away.
The letter, which was released on Raiola's official Twitter account, read: "In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was.
"Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it.
"Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.
"Mino's mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.
"We thank everybody for the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect to the privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief."
Manchester United, Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are among the major European outfits who are due to farewell high-profile players when free agency comes into force on June 30.
Domestic leagues across the world appear increasingly likely to run beyond that deadline, meaning sides up and down the divisions could be forced to renegotiate deals beyond the typical expiry date.
It remains to be seen how governing bodies will approach the unfamiliar territory but Edinson Cavani, Mario Gotze and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be watching closely like dozens more across Europe's top five leagues.
These are the stars and solid supporting cast members whose contract situations are worth monitoring in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
LaLiga
Athletic Bilbao: Aritz Aduriz (retiring), Benat, Mikel San Jose
Atletico Madrid: Antonio Adan
Espanyol: Ander Iturraspe
Granada: Roberto Soldado
Real Valladolid: Hatem Ben Arfa
Sevilla: Ever Banega (joining Al Shabab at end of contract), Nolito
Valencia: Ezequiel Garay
Villarreal: Santi Cazorla
Premier League
Bournemouth: Ryan Fraser
Burnley: Joe Hart
Chelsea: Olivier Giroud, Pedro, Willian
Liverpool: Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne
Manchester City: David Silva (confirmed he will leave at end of contract)
Manchester United: Nemanja Matic, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Odion Ighalo (loan ends)
Newcastle United: Matty Longstaff
Tottenham: Jan Vertonghen, Japhet Tanganga
Serie A
Atalanta: Jose Luis Palomino
Hellas Verona: Fabio Borini
Inter: Ashley Young
Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon
Milan: Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Napoli: Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens
Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen: Charles Aranguiz
Borussia Dortmund: Mario Gotze, Lukasz Piszczek
Hertha Berlin: Salomon Kalou
Schalke: Benjamin Stambouli
Wolfsburg: Robin Knoche
Ligue 1
Lille: Loic Remy
Monaco: Jemerson
Nice: Walter Benitez, Arnaud Lusamba
Paris Saint-Germain: Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier, Tanguy Kouassi, Layvin Kurzawa, Thiago Silva
More than 8,900 people have died from the coronavirus, with Italy, where Ibrahimovic is playing with Milan, hugely impacted.
Italy has seen more than 35,000 cases, with nearly 3,000 deaths, a tally second only to China.
Ibrahimovic launched a fundraiser on Wednesday and it had exceeded €150,000 as he aims for €1million for Humanitas hospitals.
"Hi, I'm Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Italy has always given me so much and in this dramatic moment, I want to give back even more to this country that I love," he said in a video posted on Twitter.
"I decided together with the people who are working with me to create a fundraiser for Humanitas hospitals and to use my communication power to spread the message wider.
"It's a serious issue and we need concrete help that's not just about a video. I count on the generosity of my colleagues, of all professional athletes and of those who want to make a small or large donation according to their possibilities to kick this virus away.
"Together we can really help hospitals and doctors and nurses who selflessly work everyday to save our lives because today we are the ones sharing for them.
"Let's together kick the coronavirus away and win this match and remember, if the virus doesn't go to Zlatan, Zlatan goes to the virus."
Serie A has been suspended until April 3, with Italy in lockdown due to coronavirus.
Maradona passed away aged 60 on Wednesday, with reports suggesting he died from a heart attack.
The Argentina great – a star for Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli during an illustrious playing career – had undergone a brain operation earlier this month.
Ibrahimovic joined in paying tribute to Maradona following the news of his death, writing in a post on his official Instagram account: "Maradona is not dead he is immortal. God gave the world the best gifted football player of all times [sic]. He will live forever and ever."
Maradona had well-documented issues off the field, but Ibrahimovic is adamant he will be remembered for his achievements on it.
"I'm so sorry, because for me Maradona is more than football," Milan's talisman told Sky Italia.
"He has become a religion for many and I was lucky enough to know him and talk to him.
"He is a symbol of what he has done on the pitch. I always judge him for what he did on the pitch; what he did outside, in my opinion, is his problem and not ours.
"We must remember him for what he did as a footballer and in my opinion, he will be remembered forever. When you see number 10, who do you think about? Maradona.
"It is a symbol, even today there are those who choose that number for him."
Ibrahimovic believes Maradona – whose death has resulted in a three-day period of mourning in Argentina – "did everything with his heart", something which sets him apart as a unique talent.
"As a person, he did everything with his heart, there were no other motives or thoughts. I don't know if that's the right thing, but that's why the whole world loved him," Ibrahimovic said.
"He was always himself. In today's football, everyone tries to be perfect, but to grow and learn you have to make mistakes.
"Maradona always did everything with his heart and will always remain number one."
With the coronavirus pandemic leading to a shutdown of the vast majority of all top-level sport, athletes and fans alike are having to satisfy their cravings in other ways, with video games proving an increasingly popular option.
Playing on the latest edition of Pro Evolution Soccer on DAZN, Inter youngster Esposito took charge of the Nerazzurri and Leao controlled his Milan – each player unsurprisingly putting their computerised selves in the respective teams.
Esposito's seriousness quickly became apparent, as he clattered the virtual Leao to the ground early on with Stefan de Vrij – leading to the real Leao brandishing an imaginary card.
Leao, controlling himself, put Milan in front just before half-time, slotting under Samir Handanovic after a one-two with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Esposito's reaction to his counterpart's shouts and gloating dance to the camera was minimal, as it was when he restored parity just after half-time – Romelu Lukaku netting off the post after being teed up by Lautaro Martinez.
Inter were then in front in the 76th minute. Lukaku cut out a goal-kick and then blocked a subsequent clearance, before charging into the box and returning the favour for Martinez – Esposito's celebration showing a hint of emotion for the first time.
But he had his head in his hands when Leao secured a share of the spoils, with Ibrahimovic collecting Ismael Bennacer's defence-splitting pass and coolly sweeping home.
Esposito could not help thinking his strikers might have done more.
He said: "Lautaro and Lukaku are the perfect partnership. The numbers show it - they showed it on PES too.
"I got the most out of them having watched them up close and personal. I thank them for scoring the goals, but they could've done even better," he concluded with a chuckle.
The Sweden international returned to San Siro in December 2019 after leaving Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.
Ibrahimovic vowed he would end Milan's long wait for the Scudetto and subsequently delivered in the 2021-22 season as the Rossoneri won their first Serie A title in 11 years.
Injuries restricted the striker to just 12 appearances in all competitions last term, but only Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud (both 14) scored more goals than the 40-year-old's eight.
Ibrahimovic is expected to be out until January following an operation on his left knee, but Milan have rewarded the forward with a new contract to keep him at the club until June 2023.
Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi arrived earlier in the transfer window to bolster Pioli's attacking options as Milan aim to defend their Serie A title in the upcoming campaign, which the Rossoneri start at home to Udinese on August 13.
The Belgian scored 22 goals in 107 Premier League appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side, while only starting 34 of those matches, and will provide additional competition for striking options alongside Giroud, Leao and Ibrahimovic.
Since making his Borussia Dortmund debut last January following his arrival from Salzburg, Haaland has scored 33 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions to establish himself as one of Europe's leading strikers.
The 20-year-old Norway international – who won the 2020 Golden Boy award – looked up to former Swansea City forward Michu, but his father Alf-Inge Haaland revealed he particularly liked watching the most prolific players.
"He was a born striker. He loved the strikers who scored a lot of goals, but two in particular: Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo," Haaland Sr told Tuttosport, the newspaper that organises the Golden Boy award. "He also had a soft spot for Mario Balotelli during his time with Manchester City.
"He is never satisfied with himself and trains continuously because he wants to become the best.
"He's super focused and lives for football and scoring goals. If he scores two goals and is substituted, he goes off angry because he wanted to stay on the pitch and try to score another goal.
"With that mentality he combines good technique, excellent timing and an innate ability to understand where the ball will arrive in the area. This is why he scores so many goals."
Among players in the top five European leagues, only Ronaldo (37) and Robert Lewandowski (40) have scored more goals in all competitions than Haaland in 2020.
Haaland shot to prominence with eight goals in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage and on average finds the back of the net in the competition every 56 minutes - the best ratio of all players to have scored at least 10.
He consequently continues to be linked with a move to the world's elite clubs and Haaland Sr admitted his son is always keen to test himself as much as possible.
"He is very happy there [Dortmund], but Erling loves challenges and in football you never know in advance what the future holds. We'll see," he said.
Haaland will be unable to add to his tally again this season, having been ruled out until January with a hamstring issue.
Milan striker Ibrahimovic spent two years with the Galaxy and broke their single-season scoring record when he notched 30 times in the 2019 regular season.
He helped guide the team into the MLS Cup Playoffs that year, but they lost in the first round to Minnesota United and the former Sweden international opted against renewing his contract.
Ibrahimovic famously claimed "nobody will remember what MLS is" following his departure, and Joao Pedro has revealed the details of when the outspoken veteran rebuked the rest of the squad for throwing away a win against Houston Dynamo.
Joao Pedro told Diario Record: "[He said:] 'If you are going to come here to go to the beach, take a walk in Hollywood, just say so, but tell me now.
"I have 300 million in my bank account, an island, I don't need this at all. I'll kill the first person to open their mouth.'"
Joao Pedro, who joined Tondela on loan from the Galaxy in January, offered up another story where Ibrahimovic's personality seemingly rubbed him up the wrong way.
He said: "We were just about to have an 11-against-11 kickabout and someone asked, 'Who is kicking off?'
"The assistant coach said: 'Joao Pedro, because it is his birthday today.' Ibrahimovic turned and said: 'Every day is my birthday, give me the ball.' And he laughed."
The Milan forward found himself at the centre of controversy after saying the likes of James should "do what you're good at" rather than engage in any kind of activism.
Los Angeles Lakers star James hit back and vowed never to "just stick to sports", insisting he had a role to play as a voice against racism and other pressing societal issues.
James is a friend of former United States president Barack Obama and his own foundation supports a school that is aimed at helping disadvantaged children.
But Ibrahimovic, who has also been criticised for agreeing to appear in the Sanremo music festival amid the Serie A season, refused to back down.
"Racism and politics are two different things. Athletes unite the world, politics divides it," said the 39-year-old, who was injured in Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma and could be sidelined for up to three weeks, which would rule him out of facing former club Manchester United in the Europa League later this month.
"Everyone is welcome in our environment, it doesn't matter where you come from and we are doing everything to bring people together.
"My message? Athletes should be athletes, politicians should be politicians."
Responding to questions over his appearance at the music event, which spans four days, while Milan fight for the title, the Swede added: "I'm a professional and anyone who knows me, knows that. When I play football I'm only focused on that.
"I want to help Milan, and to give a lot to Italy for everything that it has given me over the years, not only in football.
"I had the chance to be a guest at the festival, one of the most important in Italy, and decided to participate."
Ibrahimovic, who signed on a free transfer from LA Galaxy in January, has scored four goals in 10 games in all competitions since returning to Milan for a second spell.
He sustained a calf injury in training last month but is expected to recover in time to play some part in the Rossoneri's run-in.
The 38-year-old's contract runs out at the end of the campaign, with Massara revealing no decision has been made on whether he will remain at San Siro for another year.
"Ibrahimovic is a champion," he told Sky Sport Italia. "The team improved a great deal with his arrival but, come the end of the season, we need to sit down and discuss the situation, including his own state of mind.
"He wanted to help Milan during a difficult time for the club. It goes without saying that any team is improved by having Ibrahimovic in it as he is a phenomenal player."
Former Sweden international Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in 18 appearances since returning to the Serie A club on a short-term deal.
The 38-year-old's arrival has coincided with an upturn in form for Milan in the second half of the campaign, including a run of 11 games without defeat since last month's restart.
And Pioli has underlined Ibrahimovic's importance to the side, not only in terms of scoring goals but also creating opportunities for others.
"Ibra has improved us in many ways on the pitch, giving us solutions we didn't previously have," Pioli said at a pre-match news conference on Tuesday.
"He has an important presence both physically and technically and creates a lot of space for his team-mates. Regarding his personality and character, he was definitely decisive."
Centre-back Simon Kjaer has also impressed since joining from Sevilla at the turn of the year, forming a solid partnership with Alessio Romagnoli at the heart of the defence.
Pioli, who last week agreed a new two-year deal to stay on as Milan boss, is after more of the same from his in-form side ahead of the trip to Sampdoria.
"Kjaer is doing well and is another January signing that has contributed in an important way," Pioli said.
"We now have a couple of games remaining. We should face each game with the right determination and concentration.
"The matches must be played with great respect. Sampdoria are doing well and gave Juventus difficulties. They are playing with ease because they have reached their target."
Milan drew 1-1 with Atalanta last time out to extend their unbeaten run and Pioli has fifth-placed Roma in his sights with two games to go.
"We have to believe we can catch them," he said. "We don't have much time and it is not just up to us.
"We are focused on tomorrow's game against Sampdoria, who know how to cover the field well. We will have to be at our best.
"Winning is the only way we can have any hope. Then we will wait for Roma's result [against Torino]. I'll ask my players for one final effort."
Ibrahimovic made a superb start to the season with Serie A leaders Milan, scoring 11 goals in 10 games, before suffering a hamstring injury last month.
The veteran striker has impressed since returning to the Serie A club at the start of the year, although talk about his future continues after he turned 39 in October.
But Ibrahimovic, who is contracted until the end of the season, said he wanted to continue while he could.
"As long as I will continue to feel good. Because when the years go by, we no longer talk about quality, but only about how you are physically," he told Sky Sport.
"If you are physically well you can do it, like [Francesco] Totti. But it applies to everyone. It is not a lack of quality, if one is in the right physical condition he can do it.
"That's the important thing, losing quality is impossible. It's whether you can do it physically or not."
Ibrahimovic returned to Europe at the start of the year after two seasons with LA Galaxy.
The former Sweden international said he would be realistic about his future, revealing he headed to MLS after uncertainty about whether he could still deliver in Europe.
"Because you still think you are stronger, you still think you can, and you are not realistic in understanding that maybe you can't do it anymore. And I don't have this ego, I'm realistic," Ibrahimovic said.
"Why did I go to America? Because I wanted to start from scratch, I thought that, perhaps, after the injury, I would no longer be able to do the things I did before at Manchester United. I told [Jose] Mourinho, 'Don't call me anymore, with all due respect I am no longer the Ibra I was before.' I was being realistic towards myself, my ego went down, so I went to America to start from scratch.
"I didn't know what awaited me, but after two years I felt alive and I said, 'Let's go back to Europe and see if I can do it or not.' That's why I signed up for six months, to evaluate myself. I have my vision, my confidence, but then it all depends on the results on the pitch.
"It is one thing to have vision and trust and then step into the field only to be told you can't take it anymore. It doesn't really matter what people say – because you don't have to be influenced from outside – you have to trust. That's why I say it's all ego."
After signing a short-term deal with Milan, Ibrahimovic committed to the club for 2020-21 in August – but said he had initially told coach Stefano Pioli he was leaving.
"I'll tell you how it went. Pioli asks me, 'What do you want to do?' I reply, 'In my opinion, I am not going forward'. I said, 'No, I don't continue. That's enough.'"
Ibrahimovic netted both of his goals in the first 16 minutes – the opener coming from a rebound after a penalty he won was saved – to maintain Milan's perfect start to the campaign.
He had missed four games and not played for almost a month after contracting COVID-19, but the 39-year-old made up for lost time with his match-winning brace at San Siro on Saturday.
"I was so hungry. They locked the wrong animal in the house," he told MTV.
"It is not easy mentally to always be at homecoming from a very high pace – the body is shaking because it wants to work, it wants to play.
"I stayed at home and have waited for him to pass to return with the team and work with the team."
Ibrahimovic, who now has five goals in three appearances this season, lasted the full 90 minutes against Milan despite his lack of playing time over the past month.
And it was revealed after the match that the Swedish striker asked to be substituted, only for head coach Stefano Pioli to keep him on until the end.
"He was very tired and even asked to come off, but this time I was the one who ignored him!" Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
"Zlatan is extraordinary, he brings so much to the side with his talent, determination and character. He's an exemplary professional, gives everything for his team, wants to win everything from a cup Final to a training ground routine.
" I can't take any credit for dealing with Ibrahimovic, as it's very easy."
Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for Inter just before the half-hour mark and had a penalty shout turned down by VAR in the second half.
Achraf Hakimi also wasted a good headed opportunity for Inter as Antonio Conte's side pushed for a leveller but Milan held on for to seal the bragging rights.
Not since 1995 have they won four straight league games at the start of a season, though Pioli can still see room for improvement as he put talk of a Scudetto challenge in perspective.
"The team spirit is incredible, we work hard for our cause," he said. "We won every game this season, but none of them were easy.
"That means we have to improve tactically and technically, because we cannot always rely on character.
"I like to think positive and consider myself an optimist, but I also acknowledge there are at least three or four clubs who invested more than we did and are at a more advanced stage.
"We are ambitious, but largely invested for the future. There are seven clubs at a high level in Serie A right now and only four of them will be happy with a Champions League spot at the end of the season.
"If you want to challenge for the Scudetto, you need to raise the quality level of the squad. Even then, it takes a lot of time, there are sides that invested far more and haven't done as well.
"The club has been wise to lay the foundations and build upon them going forward."
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring with a stunning first-half free-kick in Wednesday's 3-0 victory at Genoa, a result that moved Milan within a point of leaders Napoli, who squandered a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo.
The victory was a welcome return to form for Milan, having gone from unbeaten domestically to licking their wounds following back-to-back league defeats.
Milan head coach Stefano Pioli signed a contract extension last week and Ibrahimovic wants to be the next to put pen to paper as the evergreen 40-year-old eyes silverware with the club.
"I have fun, before the match, we had already decided how long I would have played," Ibrahimovic said to Sky Sport Italia after the match. "These guys make me have fun and feel young.
"We had made errors that cost us the previous two games. It was all our fault, not our opponents' merit, but we won today and we remain up there.
"Now I have to renew. I am happy for [Pioli] because he deserves [his contract extension], if he renews, I renew. Pioli has done a great job.
"I am happy for the fans. For so many years, they have not enjoyed as they are enjoying now. I want to make them happy, but if we don't win a trophy we haven't done anything."
Ibrahimovic's goal was his 153rd goal in Serie A, drawing level with Stefano Nyers and Hernan Crespo in 26th place among the top scorers in the Italian competition.
His 73 league goals for Milan also took Swedish forward Ibrahimovic to 10th in Milan's standings, alongside Filippo Inzaghi.
Once Pioli had penned his own terms, the 56-year-old revealed that Ibrahimovic wasted no time in contacting him to ask for a new contract.
The Milan boss praised his team's performance against Genoa, particularly the connection between Ibrahimovic and his team-mates.
"Zlatan is the only player who sent me a message as soon as I signed my contract," Pioli said to Sky Sport Italia. "It said congratulations, Mister, now sort mine out!
"That's Zlatan for you! This is a season that can give us satisfaction, I don't know how far we can go.
"We played with intensity and determination for the whole game this evening and unfortunately we are not a team that can do the bare minimum. We've got to give it our all, or we are not superior to the opposition.
"The arrival of Zlatan improved everything, certainly, but his team-mates also did well to accept his way of motivating them.
"At the same time, Zlatan has to thank his team-ates, because he has come back to being the great player he was a few years ago. It's give and take for them both."
Ibrahimovic will turn 41 in early October and is into his third full season at Milan, having joined from LA Galaxy in December 2019.
Injuries have been a regular source of frustration for the Swede since his return to Milan, though he still has a fine goalscoring record of 33 in 60 Serie A appearances during his second spell at the club.
Ibrahimovic is not expected to play again this year after having surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury in May, an injury that at the time seemed likely to end his career.
But it appears the enigmatic striker is determined to go out on his own terms, dismissing recent comments from former Milan player and executive Zvonimir Boban, who said it was "not right" for Ibrahimovic to keep playing.
Asked about Boban's opinion, Ibrahimovic told Gazzetta dello Sport: "If I see a player stronger than me, I'll stop. But I haven't seen him yet.
"I am arrogant, [I have] zero fear. I'm fine, I work every day to come back. When I come back, I'll be heard, you can count on it.
"I'll [return] with violence. It takes patience – this is the key now."
Ibrahimovic helped Milan to Scudetto success before his injury, with that being the Rossoneri's first league title since 2011, during his first spell.
Milan have enjoyed a decent start to their title defence, with Napoli and Atalanta only sitting above them in the table after six games by virtue of a better goal difference.
When Ibrahimovic does return to the pitch, he believes he will be coming into a team that is even better than the one that won the title, appearing particularly excited about Charles de Ketelaere.
"De Ketelaere is top, I say so. You just have to give him some time to grow," he continued.
"We are even stronger than last year as a group. Overall, we are a better team, the market in the summer after the Scudetto strengthened us and now we have more alternatives on the bench.
"If I hadn't liked it [the transfer business], I wouldn't have been here."
High-profile additions to the playing staff are among a number of ambitious proposals Leven, who hopes to gain control of the club at elections planned for November, has put forward to turn around the fortunes of a club that has struggled to pay wages this year.
As part of the 'Somamos' project he also hopes to bring in US$400million in six years, redevelop the Sao Januario and raise the capacity to 55,000, increase the membership base to record-breaking levels and purchase clubs in Europe and China to expand the Vasco brand.
Leven claims to have been working with Italian businessman and sporting director Fabio Cordella as well as agent Mino Raiola, whose clients include Ibrahimovic and Balotelli.
"We are negotiating, trying to make the Vasco of our dreams," Leven said in an interview with FOXSports.com.br.
"Balotelli and Ibrahimovic have the same agent. Ibrahimovic would be a more daring project.
"But you don't have to think about which great player will be hired, but that we will bring in great players. If it's not one, it will be another."
Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure was linked with a switch to Botafogo that did not come to fruition, but Leven suggested Vasco stand a chance of securing a deal for the former Ivory Coast international.
"In football there are no coincidences. If [Toure] didn't go to Botafogo, it was because someone stopped him. Maybe he's close to me," he said.
A move to return Jiangsu Suning forward Teixeira to Vasco reportedly hit a stumbling block, while Al Hilal's Giovinco is understood to be another target for the club.
Leven has also promised to bring Brazil international Souza back to the club.
"If we have players at the level of Balotelli, Yaya Toure, Giovinco, Alex Teixeira and Souza, we are a competitive team," added Leven.
