AC Milan Officially Recognizes Giroud as a Goalkeeper After Heroic Genoa Performance
Milan, Italy – AC Milan made an extraordinary move on Sunday, officially designating France striker Olivier Giroud as a goalkeeper following his remarkable performance in goal against Genoa, a performance that propelled his team to the top of Serie A.
In an unexpected turn of events, veteran forward Giroud assumed the role of goalkeeper, replacing his Les Bleus teammate, Mike Maignan, who was sent off in the seventh minute of injury time. Giroud’s goalkeeping skills proved vital as Milan secured a 1-0 victory, propelling them two points ahead of their local rivals, Inter Milan.
In a statement, Milan expressed their admiration for Giroud’s courageous display, saying, “Last night, Olivier Giroud became part of Milan history by valiantly defending the Milan goal in the final minutes of our match with Genoa. The club has decided to honor his performance in our last line of defense by including him in the list of goalkeepers.”
The club also announced that fans could purchase replica goalkeepers’ jerseys with “Giroud 9” on the back as a tribute to the incredible conclusion of Saturday’s tightly contested match.
On Milan’s official website, Giroud can be seen wearing a goalkeeper’s kit with a smile, a kit he declared on Saturday night that he would frame. Remarkably, he maintains a perfect record of zero goals conceded in his seven league appearances this season.
Giroud was brought on as a substitute during the second half at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to assist Milan in breaking down Genoa’s resilient defense. However, it was Giroud who played a pivotal role in fending off Genoa during stoppage time after Christian Pulisic had given Milan the lead in the 87th minute.
Helplessly watching as Albert Gudmundsson struck a free-kick off the crossbar immediately after Maignan’s dismissal, the 37-year-old Giroud quickly donned the goalkeeper’s jersey and gloves. He then capped off an incredible conclusion to the match, which also saw Genoa’s goalkeeper Josep Martinez being sent off, by rushing out of his goal to make two crucial saves, ensuring Milan would return to the San Siro with all three points.
