Olivier Giroud stole the spotlight yesterday in AC Milan Serie A match against Genoa, MySportDab reports.
Giroud, who is a known striker, was improvised as a goalkeeper after AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off late in the game.
When Mike Maignan was sent off, Stefan Pioli has already exhausted his substitutions and the team had to go for Giroud as an improvised goalkeeper.
Mike Maignan pulled off his gloves for Giroud as he went off and the former Chelsea forward was handed the goalkeeper jersey as he switched role from a forward to the goalpost.
😅 | Olivier Giroud a un nouveau rôle à l'AC Milan : 🧤! 🔴⚫ #GenoaMilan pic.twitter.com/vC6lsizLkO
— Eleven Belgium (FR) (@ElevenBeFR) October 7, 2023
It was the dying minutes of the game and a lot was up for grabs as AC Milan only had a one-goal lead thanks to Christian Pulisic’s late strike three minutes from regulation time.
Genoa were advancing late in the game and trying to find an equaliser but Giroud was able to pull a great performance to deny the home side while AC Milan held tenuously to the narrow lead.
One of his big bang saves came following a late offensive by Genoa just as the death.
The home side quickly broke on a counter and were advancing speedily into AC Milan box before Giroud dived quickly to clear the ball.
His first attempt nearly failed as the ball bounced off his grasp before he clutched it on the second attempt while coming head on with Genoa attackers.
https://twitter.com/nemaccer/status/1710768156002623739?t=pbg2mxJvHbbjV2fQ2OUbww&s=19
It was a brilliant and sensational effort by the French man as he heroed through at goal to keep AC Milan’s narrow lead till the final whistle.
Speaking on his shift to the goalpost after the game Giroud said;
On the being in goal Giroud said: ‘I’ve never experienced that in my career and I’m proud of the whole team. We fought like lions.’
‘The final stop? I made a great save at the end. Almost a goal. Calabria massacred my arm but it’s okay… I’m going to frame this shirt!
AC Milan ran out with a narrow 1-0 win after the final whistle and are now two points clear of the Serie A top following the win.
