The Sweden international left Barcelona for the Serie A powerhouses after only one season in La Liga, and much has since been said about his troublesome relationship with Guardiola.

But Guardiola had nothing but praise for Ibrahimovic at his press conference ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Milan that will see the striker line up against his former team-mates.

"Ibrahimovic was a very important player for us. He helped us a lot and his first six months were excellent. Part of that Liga title we won is his," Guardiola said.

Guardiola said despite the imposing task of travelling to the San Siro ahead of them, he believes his side will still play their famous attacking brand of football.

"San Siro is one of the greatest stadiums in the world. When this stadium shouts, it really shouts. To come here and play is always an honour," he said.

"I'm sure we'll see a great game of football tomorrow. We'll have to be prepared for the difficult moments we'll go through.

"How will we play tomorrow? With seven defenders, hanging on the crossbar ... No, I think our style is well known."

Guardiola said he was not bothered about his side's potential to still clinch three trophies this season, after Real Madrid's recent league struggles.

"Treble still possible? I don't look further than the next game. If we lose tomorrow and on Saturday, that's two trophies gone," he said.

"We'll have to prove our worth again. The objective is to stay motivated after all we've won, to compete until the end."

For his part, Ibrahimovic is eagerly anticipating the tie but the forward is unsure whether he will shake hands with Guardiola.

"Whether I will shake Guardiola's hand tomorrow? I don't know. What has happened, has happened. Do Guardiola and I still have problems with each other? He has his problems and I have mine. The past is the past," Ibrahimovic said.

"(Former Barcelona president Joan) Laporta said that they made a mistake when they signed me? That's not what he said before he signed me."

Ibrahimovic said Milan would have to be at their best in order to get a good result against the Catalans.

"I know myself and my qualities, as well as the qualities of my team-mates. I'm not worried and neither are my team-mates. The whole team has to play a perfect match, including myself," he added.

"We are playing against the best team, but we have nothing to lose. We have to play two perfect games, because Barca are the best team in the world. They have demonstrated that over the past five years.

"Messi and Barca would also do well if they played in Serie A. No other team in the world has that much quality. Not even Real Madrid."