The winning goal in AC Milan’s 2-1 victory against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday came from Olivier Giroud, who propelled the team back into the Champions League.
Four minutes after the half at a throbbing San Siro, France striker Giroud hammered home a trademark header to rekindle Milan’s hopes of making it to the round of 16 and snap out of their awful recent run of form.
Starting the day from the bottom of Group F, Stefano Pioli’s club is now well placed to advance to the knockout rounds; with five points, they are just one point behind PSG, who hold the second qualifying slot.
Tuesday’s victory served as payback for a 3-0 thumping in Paris two weeks before, and it included Milan’s first goals in the tournament this year. In the twelfth minute, the highly skilled Rafael Leao tied the score for the hosts after former Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar had given PSG an early lead.
With Theo Hernandez providing the precise cross that allowed Giroud’s Les Bleus teammate to score, the game’s finale had a French flair and saw Giroud score his sixth goal of the year overall. PSG was defeated.
After winning the man of the match award, Leao told Mediaset, “We showed everyone what kind of team Milan are at home.”
“We worked so hard as a team that I am speechless, but I am really happy.”
Milan’s next game might prove to be vital to their hopes of qualifying out of the group as they take on group leaders Borussia Dortmund, who moved over to the top place from PSG by one point after defeating Newcastle United 2-0 earlier on Tuesday.
Additionally, their supporters exacted vengeance on the league’s most hated player, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who unceremoniously defected from Milan to PSG as a free agent two years before and was met with an angry chorus from the crowded seats.
Thousands of counterfeit dollar notes with his image along with the derogatory moniker “Dollarumma” and the phrase “mercenary” were produced by Milan supporters.
The day became very intense as the teams got to the field and home fans unleashed their fury on Italy goalie Donnarumma. The day began with the news that a PSG fan had been stabbed after altercations between the two sets of supporters late on Monday night.
