No Zlatan Ibrahimovic, no problem as Milan rated Europe's most improved team

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese and AC Milan, at the Dacia Arena Stadium in Udine, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. AC Milan won 2-1. [Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP]

Even with Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined through injury, AC Milan have maintained their early season form and improved more than any other team in Europe in the last year, according to the Euro Club Index football ranking from Nielsen's Gracenote.

The Serie A leaders and only unbeaten side in Europe's top five leagues - England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France - face champions Juventus on Wednesday as they look to lay down a marker in their quest for a 19th Scudetto, and their first in a decade.