#olivier-giroud

#olivier-giroud

Image: Martin Meissner/AP/picture alliance Even in the crowning moment of Lionel Messi's greatest personal triumph, Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani couldn't resist making it about them.While the Emir of Qatar wrapped the Argentine captain in a black and gold bisht, the narcissistic FIFA president clung onto the coveted trophy for as long as possible, desperate to be in the photographs and footage of Messi's big moment for as long as possible.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in contention to start for Milan against Udinese on Saturday as the 41-year-old looks to lift Stefano Pioli's' struggling champions.The striker, recalled by Sweden this week, has recovered from major knee surgery and come through three substitute appearances.Now the veteran is a prime contender to line up from the first whistle as Milan are forced to cope without the suspended Olivier Giroud in their last game before the international break.

Stefano Pioli set Milan the target of securing a top-four finish in Serie A as he declared himself satisfied with the Rossoneri's response to a dire run of form.Milan went seven games without a win across all competitions recently, losing three successive league matches before stopping the rot against Torino last Friday.

AC Milan invited Atalanta to the San Siro to smash them out of the way in the race for the top four.Milan managed to keep yet another clean sheet with Mike Maignan returning and entertain the home fans with a massive 2-0 win continuing their winning streak.The game was a six pointer and elevates Milan to 47 points on par with Inter Milan who were beaten by Bologna into joint second place.

AC Milan end AC Monza unbeaten run in the league in 2023.Stefano Pioli's side now has three consecutive 1-0 wins across all competitions.The three game win streak is crucial with a tough couple of games coming up.Junior Messias got the winner after getting the nod to start and Ciprian Tatarusanu has yet another clean sheet.

Verdict: AC Milan win Best Odds: 6/5 Bookmaker: Unibet In a real Serie A heavyweight showdown on Sunday night, AC Milan will welcome Atalanta to the San Siro for what could be a season-defining affair.AC Milan Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan might have marked their return from the World Cup break in the midst of a rather public nightmare, the Italian giants have found a welcomed boost over the past fortnight.

Milan's hopes of finishing in Serie A's top four received another blow on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 by relegation-threatened Spezia.The Rossoneri headed to Stadio Alberto Picco on a seven-match league unbeaten run but still stinging from Wednesday's 2-0 first-leg defeat to city rivals Inter in the Champions League semi-finals.

Inter Milan have gained a significant foothold in their bid to reach the Champions League final by beating city rivals AC Milan in the first leg of the semis, officially away even though the two teams, of course, play at the same stadium and there's no away-goal rule anymore.Still, a two-goal lead is about as tangible as any Inter fan but the most fanatical ones will have hoped for going into the match.

The title race has long been over in the Serie A, with Napoli out of sight for the rest of the league for a long while before the official confirmation came earlier this week, but the fight for the remaining three spots warranting Champions League participation next season could hardly be any fiercer.

Team news: Roma are without Rick Karsdorp, Chris Smalling and Diego Llorente, while Milan have to do without Alessandro Florenzi, Tommaso Pobega and Zlatan Ibrahimović.Kickoff time for Matchday 32 of Serie A is 18:00 CET at Stadio Olimpico.A.S. Roma (3-4-1-2) - José Mourinho Rui Patrício; Gianluca Mancini, Marash Kumbulla, Roger Ibañez; Mehmet Zeki Çelik, Bryan Cristante, Nemanja Matić, Leonardo Spinazzola; Lorenzo Pellegrini; Tammy Abraham, Andrea Belotti.

Feb 23, 2023



Chris WrightToe Poke writer



Serie A giants AC Milan have unveiled a new fourth kit for the 2022-23 season, providing further evidence for the case that everything looks better in 8-bit.The reigning champions of Italy have released the shirt as part of a special capsule wardrobe designed in collaboration with Paris-based fashion label Koche.

Team news: Udinese are without Enzo Ebosse, Adam Masina and Gerard Deulofeu, while Milan have to do without the suspended Olivier Giroud as well as without Theo Hernández and Junior Messias.Kickoff time for Matchday 27 of Serie A is 20:45 CET at Stadio Friuli.Udinese Calcio (3-5-2) - Andrea Sottil Marco Silvestri; Rodrigo Becão, Jaka Bijol, Nehuén Pérez; Kingsley Ehizibue, Lazar Samardžić, Walace, Roberto Pereyra, Destiny Udogie; Beto, Isaac Success.

Team news: Milan were without Mike Maignan, Alessandro Florenzi, Sergiño Dest, Fikayo Tomori and Ismaël Bennacer, while Torino had to do without David Zima, Valentino Lazaro, Samuele Ricci and Pietro Pellegri.Kickoff time was 20:45 CET at Stadio San Siro.Goal: Giroud (62′)
AC Milan (3-4-3) - Stefano Pioli Ciprian Tătăruşanu; Malick Thiaw, Simon Kjær (70′ Matteo Gabbia), Pierre Kalulu; Alexis Saelemaekers (89′ Davide Calabria), Sandro Tonali (89′ Tommaso Pobega), Rade Krunić, Theo Hernández; Brahim Díaz (78′ Charles De Ketelaere), Olivier Giroud (89′ Divock Origi), Rafael Leão.

AC Milan travel to the capital to try and salvage their season and mark the official midpoint of the campaign with a victory.Milan will be looking to capitalise on the misfortunes of Juventus (who were docked 15 points) and Inter Milan (who saw Skriniar red carded and beaten 1-0 by Empoli) to take a strong hold of the second place spot.

AC Milan are in a difficult moment and suffered another poor game last night as Stefano Pioli's men dropped two points to Lecce on the road.Milan were struck down 2-0 at halftime and fought to recoup some losses but it was not enough and the side are now 9 points off Napoli at the top and just 1 point above Juventus and Inter Milan for the second spot.

Team news: Inter had a full squad at their disposal, while Milan had to do without Mike Maignan, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Alessandro Florenzi, Rade Krunić, Ante Rebić and Zlatan Ibrahimović.Kickoff time for the Supercoppa Italiana was 20:00 CET at King Fahd Stadium.Goals: Dimarco (10′), Džeko (21′), Lautaro Martínez (77′)
F.C. Internazionale Milano (3-5-2) - Simone Inzaghi André Onana; Milan Škriniar, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni (84′ Stefan de Vrij); Matteo Darmian, Nicolò Barella (71′ Roberto Gagliardini), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (84′ Kristjan Asllani), Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco (63′ Robin Gosens); Edin Džeko (71′ Joaquin Correa), Lautaro Martínez.

AC Milan and Real Madrid have scheduled a meeting to discuss terms of a proposed permanent transfer of Brahim Diaz from the Spanish capital to Italy, according to Fabrizio Romano.Diaz is, of course, already playing for Milan, having joined the Rossoneri on a two-year loan in 2021, and Milan are obviously keen to keep hold of the Spanish attacking midfielder who has so far scored 15 goals and produced 10 assists in 98 matches in all competitions for them, and who played a big role in their march to the Scudetto last season.

Team news: Milan were without the suspended Malick Thiaw as well as without Mike Maignan, Devis Vásquez, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Alessandro Florenzi, Simon Kjær, Rade Krunić, Ante Rebić, Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimović, while Torino had to do without Ola Aina, Valentino Lazaro, Emirhan İlkhan and Pietro Pellegri.

AC Milan travelled to face Salernitana to open their 2023 and came away with a 2-1 victory.Milan picked up all three points thanks to Leao and Tonali's early goals.The side slipped up late on but held on for the win.Milan are now just five points below Napoli and will be looking to further shut the gap over the course of the month.

Man United are looking at Olivier Giroud as a possible replacement for their striker woes.Erik ten Hag lost Cristiano Ronaldo last month, following the Portugal international publicly disrespecting Manchester United Football Club.There was never really any way back for the GOAT following those comments Anyway, Ronnie is now a thing of the past, with United looking to move forward.

Team news: Salernitana were without the banned Antonio Candreva as well as without Luigi Sepe, Norbert Gyömbér, Giulio Maggiore and Pasquale Mazzocchi, while Milan had to do without Mike Maignan, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Alessandro Florenzi, Simon Kjær, Rade Krunić, Junior Messias, Ante Rebić, Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Team news: Milan were without Theo Hernández and Olivier Giroud who had just returned to training after the World Cup, as well as without the injured Mike Maignan, Alessandro Florenzi, Rade Krunić, Junior Messias, Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimović.Kickoff time for the friendly and the last match of 2022 was 18:15 CET at Philips Stadion.

With the January transfer window now open around Europe there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where.Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!TOP STORY: Race for Dumfries includes Premier League trio of Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham
Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs looking to sign Internazionale right wing-back Denzel Dumfries, according to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Argentina and France go toe to toe on Sunday seeking World Cup glory.Ahead of the Lusail Stadium final, the PA news agency takes a look at five of the main talking points.Will Messi crown career with glory?Lionel Messi will become the record appearance maker in World Cup history on Sunday when he plays his 26th and final match on this stage.