There’s a genuine concern within the Milan ranks that veteran striker Olivier Giroud might have to sit out the upcoming Derby della Madonnina. According to Corriere dello Sport via Tuttomercatoweb, Stefano Pioli’s men are terrified of the ominous prospect of losing their most prolific frontman for the mouth-watering clash against Inter.
Giroud has pulled out of the France squad after picking up an ankle injury during Thursday’s 2-0 win over Ireland. The 36-year-old couldn’t walk off the pitch on his own after going down to the ground in pain, raising suspicions he could miss out on the forthcoming derby between Milan and Inter.
The latest installment of the long-standing rivalry falls on September 16, with the arch-rivals coming into proceedings as the only two Serie A sides with a 100% record in 2023/24. Giroud has been one of the architects of Rossoneri’s stellar start to the new campaign. He has scored four goals for Milan thus far, three of which came from the spot.
But Giroud’s importance to Pioli’s setup goes beyond just the numbers. His on-field understanding with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic has provided the backbone for the team’s impressive performances this season. That’s not to mention his free-scoring form against Inter.
Despite delivering an encouraging update on his fitness status, the ex-Chelsea goal-getter must undergo further checks before being cleared to appear against Inter. If Giroud fails to gain permission to feature in the derby, Milan will turn to either Noah Okafor or Luka Jovic to fill the void.
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