We need two goals tomorrow. Or just one, to go to extra time and possibly penalties. Goals from Leao and Giroud are needed. For the consecration as leader of the Portuguese, the horizon is always one step further due to discontinuity.
While the Frenchman, after his indelible signature on the championship two years ago, wants to leave another tangible mark, this time in Europe, before most likely flying towards Los Angeles. Almost opposite projections and moments, the present says only one thing: to impact and decide at the Olimpico, after the 0-1 in the first leg.
Leao, last Thursday, was hounded and canceled out by the cage built by De Rossi: El Shaarawy to retreat, Cristante to keep watch, Celik to close. Moral: zero dribbling, zero shots on goal. Substitution, whistles, head down and pace not exactly fast, nervousness in leaving San Siro.
“He came out tired because he didn’t come into the game. The more he plays, the better he feels.” Pioli dixit. That’s it. No turnover against Sassuolo: here the dribbling succeeds after a handful of seconds, here comes Rafa’s goal and the decisive strike for Jovic’s double. In addition to plays, tears and also that spirit of sacrifice so evoked by detractors. For a total, so far, of 13 goals and 12 assists: not far from his best year with the Rossoneri last year (16 goals and 15 winning passes). “Leao is happy here and has a long contract (June 2028, ed.). Extraordinary player: when he wants, you don’t stop him. Very good boy, always smiling”, the recent telegram from CEO Furlani.
“200 appearances at Milan? I hope to make as many, it’s like being in the family”, are the equally recent concepts expressed by the 24-year-old.
Olivier Giroud’s identity card says something completely different: born in 1986, expiring. “He made the history of Milan, especially in the year of the Scudetto. And he is still performing at very high levels. We’ll see what he decides at the end of the season”, Furlani’s other text message. So far, impressive numbers, especially in Serie A: 13 goals and 8 assists. In the championship itself, however, only two goals in the last two months. And in Europe the last blow of the Frenchman was dated March 7th. Dry against Roma last week.
The chronicle of his game reduced to two hits: one blocked on the line by Lukaku, ditto for the other on the rebound immediately afterwards. And, above all, a shot: on the crossbar, in the small area, albeit with a right foot after a blaze from Chukwueze. Then, also without a goal against Sassuolo. Pioli would have liked to rest him, because the Diavolo’s reference center forward started 33 times out of 41 games of availability, in the league and in Europe. But Giroud, who was on the bench only twice this season for the entire match, didn’t even rest on Sunday.
He came on to overturn Laurienté’s 1-3 score ten minutes after tea and supported Jovic (who scored). He entered the action of Okafor’s 3-3. But he wasted at least three inviting situations, especially the poker ball born from a lunge by Pulisic and rebounded right towards him. In the area and on the left, this time. And kicked, falling, over the crossbar. Recent numbers only. To be swept in a match in which the real Milan is needed. This is what Pioli, society and the environment are asking for.
And a lot will pass through Leao and Giroud.
Tags: Milan night worth future Pioli clings Leao Giroud
