Giroud makes incredible save as Milan game ends with two outfield stars in goal

07 October 2023 , 22:53

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Olivier Giroud was forced to go in goal for AC Milan (Image: Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images)

Olivier Giroud found himself going in goal to help AC Milan seal a narrow win at Genoa.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea man is now leading the line for the Italian giants, but rather than score the goals his role in the latter stages of Saturday's win was to keep them out, producing a sensational save in stoppage time. Christian Pulisic gave Milan the lead late in the game, before both goalkeepers were sent-off.

Mike Maignan was dismissed for the Rossoneri with the clock in the red, leaving Giroud to take on the gloves to help his side see the game out. Within seconds of putting on the green goalkeeper jersey he saw a deflected free-kick strike the bar as Genona sought a leveller.

Shortly after though and the World Cup winner made a big save, rushing out to get his hand to a 50-50 ball before diving on it - earning huge praise from his team-mates. Josep Martinez, the Genoa No 1, was then sent-off later in stoppage time meaning both Serie A outfits had to play the final minutes with makeshift goalkeepers in between the sticks.

There would be no goals and Milan held on to pick up the three points. Giroud was in high spirits after the contest and told Sky Sport Italia: “I never experienced a moment like this! I am very proud for the team, we fought to the end, I made a good save! I was also lucky with the crossbar. We fought like lions and I am very happy for the fans.”

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In a career that saw him spend a decade in England, Giroud scored 144 times for his two London clubs having previously helped Montpellier to the French title. He is also the French team's all-time top scorer but joked that producing a big save almost matched the buzz of scoring.

The Frenchman produced a crucial save in the dying minutes

He said: “Almost, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a header or not, so I thought just go and it’s better to be there than staying on the line. I do not have the movements of a goalkeeper, but that is what I felt. It really hurt my arm, but that’s fine. I did like to go in goal when I was a kid, so that’s why I was chosen.”

The win means Milan remain top of Serie A having won all but one of their seven games thus far. Their only loss came to rivals Inter Milan, who hammered them 5-1, but otherwise Stefano Poli's side have been near perfect as they aim to regain the title they won the year before last.

Samuel Meade