Olivier Giroud was transparent on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund, precipitating his team’s loss by missing a penalty.
AC Milan undoubtedly saw its hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League disappear on Tuesday. Semi-finalist last spring, the Lombard club had completely revived thanks to its victory against PSG (2-1). But while they hoped to continue against Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday, the Rossoneri lost heavily at San Siro (1-3).
Last in its group with only 5 points in 5 matches, AC Milan is no longer master of its destiny. To return to the round of 16, Stefano Pioli’s men will not only have to win at Newcastle on the last day but also count on a defeat by PSG on the pitch at Borussia Dortmund. Any other scenario would mean his elimination from the Champions League and he will in any case need to win at Saint-James’ Park to qualify for the Europa League.
The Milanese may harbor regrets and in particular Olivier Giroud. Because the evening would undoubtedly have been different if the former Gunner had converted the penalty obtained in the first minutes of the match. Alas, the Savoyard missed and Gregor Kobel had no trouble stopping his attempt. A failure all the more serious because three minutes later, Marco Reus was quick to convert the penalty that the German club had just obtained.
AC Milan would equalize but Borussia Dortmund would regain the advantage in the second half before making the break. For his part, Olivier Giroud struggled to exist against the German defense and for the transalpine press, almost unanimously, he was even the worst Milanese, receiving a rating of 4.5 in the Gazzetta dello Sport or the Corriere dello Sport.
Stefano Pioli obviously did not overwhelm his attacker at the end of the meeting, nevertheless conceding that “It wasn’t his best night.” “ I spoke to him because he missed the penalty but he has the experience to overcome those moments », he added, undoubtedly counting on a vengeful Olivier Giroud, in two weeks, in the den of the Magpies.
