Champions League
AC Milan – Salzburg 4: 0: Giroud sent them to the round of 16 after nine years
Milan did their duty against Salzburg, Olivier Giroud scored two goals and one assist and after nine years they reached the last 16 of the Champions League 4-0.
It was 11 March 2014 when Milan last competed in the knockout stages of the Champions League, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Nine years later they are again in the last 16 of the top club tournament, with Olivier Giroud sealing the qualification with two goals and an assist 4-0 on her Salzburg at the San Siro for him 5th group.
The Rossoneri entered the field with a specific goal in mind. The second youngest eleven in the history of the event entered with obvious inexperience, although it was a qualifying ‘final’ for them too. Only in the 14th minute Giroud opened the scoring with a narrow header and a few minutes later he sent the ball back into the net, but it was ruled offside.
The chances were in the home side’s side, Theo Hernandez had scored early in the game and everything went in Milan’s favour. With the cross of the second part, Rade Krunic made it 2-0 with an assist from Giroud and the party in the stands got “fire”.
The French striker scored again in the 57th minute and ‘secured’ the win, another Husky set to leave modern history for the ‘Rosoneri’, who are now also looking for their first KO win since February 2013, 2-0 for Barcelona in the Round of 16 thanks to goals from Kevin Prince Boateng and Suley Mudari.
The Austrians aren’t stopping their European run here, however, as Dynamo London’s defeat by Chelsea kept them in 3rd place and sent them into the last 16 Europa League play-offs.
MILAN: Tatarousanou, Kallou (86′ Gambia), Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez (78′ Ballo Toure), Tonali, Benaser (70′ Pombega), Rebic, Krunic (77′ De Ketelare), Leao (69′ Mesias), Giroud
SALZBURG: Ken, Dedic, Sole (46′ Bernardo), Pavlovic, Weber (77′ Ulmer), Seewald, Gurna Duat (64′ Cameri), Kjaergaard, Sucic, Adamou (62′ Sesco), Okafor (77′ Koita)
The results of the 6th game
- Chelsea – Dynamo Zagreb 2-1 (Sterling 18′, Zakaria 30′ / Petkovic 7′)
- Milan – Salzburg 4-0 (14′, 57′ Giroud, 46′ Krunic, 90+1′ Mesias)
The ranking of the 5th group
Source: Sport 24
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.