Giroud stars as Milan thrash Salzburg
FRENCH FORWARD Olivier Giroud scored two goals and created another as AC Milan crushed Salzburg 4-0 yesterday to reach the Champions League knockout stages for the first
time since 2013-14.
Needing to avoid defeat in their final Group
E match to reach the last 16 against an Austrian side gunning for the win that would take them through,
Giroud settled any nerves around the San Siro with an early header into the bottom corner.
The veteran expertly headed across for Rade Krunic to make it two 43 seconds into the second half and Giroud put the game to bed in the 57th minute, drilling home after fine work from Rafael Leao.
A solo goal from Junior Messias in stoppage time capped an excellent night for Milan who secured second spot in Group E behind England’s Chelsea. Salzburg will go into the Europa League after finishing third.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli, who signed a contract extension earlier this week, was delighted with his team’s performance but wants his players to kick on and reach the later rounds of the competition.
“This is only the first step,” Pioli told reporters. “We must not stop mentally.
“We must not be happy to have reached the second round, but aim to go further. This group is hungry and wants to do everything possible and even more.
“We are the Italian champions, we are not here by chance. I have strong players, whoever draws us will face a strong team.”
Aged 36 years and 33 days, Giroud became the oldest player to score a brace in the Champions League for Milan since Filippo Inzaghi against
Real Madrid in November 2010.
“He is a strong person, a great leader and a great worker,” Pioli told Sky Sports.
“He does what a player of his level has to do. He is a point of reference. He is always smiling and motivated. He is helping us a lot to grow up.” –
Reuters/Agencies