The AC Milan staff and fans are anxiously awaiting updates regarding Olivier Giroud’s condition as he was forced off early in France’s game against Ireland.
Giroud was replaced in the first half of the 2024 European Championship qualifier between France and Ireland, in the 23rd minute to be precise, having already been in the wars before that too.
The Rossoneri striker took a tumble after just a few minutes of the game following tackle which required the intervention of the technical staff.
The alarm seemed to have been resolved but after another 20 minutes of play, the No.9 went down while trying to latch onto a ball inside the box and looked in real discomfort.
This time he had to raise the white flag and he was replaced by Marcus Thuram of Inter. As Giroud slowly limped off the field he did look in pain, while the doctors were paying attention to his foot more than his ankle.
Saw this, worrisome. He didn’t seem to get kicked or anything but missing him for the derby is inconvenient as we don’t know if Jovic is ready.
What happened?
A non contact injury is worse
He was clutching to top of his foot. Didn’t look like there was much in the challenges… not sure what happened.
Okafor is ready
He should retire France long time ago…
First option – Leao left, Pulisic central forward and Chuk right.
Or Okafor central, or Jovic as last option.
Pulisic center forward? You mean false 9. Okafor may get the start. Jovic may not be ready.
Giroud is smart… he might be faking an injury 😉
Not 25mns into the first game. Hope he returns to Milanello.
And we lose another crucial starter because of the French National team…
This is why I hate qualifiers and especially so early into the season. Put a heavy workload on the players who are just starting out
You and me both my brother! It’s so obvious!
Jesus is this for real? This is exactly what I posted a couple of days ago – freaking international injuries.
Why not just start Thuram? I swear it’s like they want guys to get injured.
This is perhaps one of the rare instances where fans opinion weighs more in common sense than anything else.
Of all our players, he had to be the one… The one without any back up (at the moment). The timing in particular is really really bad.
Okafor is the only realistic option, it would be crazy to gamble the derby with Jovic who joined just a week ago.
Let’s hope it’s not serious but in any case, he won’t be 100% probably for the derby.
Ah mean….ppl were concerned that this very thing was going to happen and got labelled all sorts of things. Father time happens to everyone.
Wouldn’t have been a problem if we’d signed a real striker. Can’t understand how Roma can manage to loan Lukaku with all of their financial problems and we couldn’t swing the same deal. Nevermind that fact that he’s a mercenary, a one year loan would have been perfect for us before going all out for a striker in 2024. Oh well.
From the scant information it looks like “turf toe”. That’s a bummer. It’s going to be a few weeks.
Alternatives: Jovic or Pulisic in a false 9???
Okafor is a mobile 9, and 9 is his main position so why not him?
Okafor is now your opportunity to make your impact pulisic remains as attacking midfield or winger the striking role is now for Noah Okafor the dangerous striker
Every single time!!!
We will be on pins and needles the whole season every time Giroud takes the field…
Not securing a reliable alternative to Giroud was a huge risk and mistake IMO. Jovic is unreliable, is more suited in a 2 striker system and by all accounts has attitude issues. Yes we got him cheap but there is a reason why. Despite the solid transfer market we had this was a huge miss and leaving this position to the end of the window where choice was limited and budget already spent – was a gross error. It’s possible that Jovic may shock us all and become the player he was in Germany – but I don’t think anyone reasonably believes that will happen. Praying it does – but the point is we should NOT be in this position – hoping that a player who hasn’t produced in the last 3-4 years suddenly becomes a scoring machine and leads the line. Huge risk and one we didn’t need to take with proper planning. Let’s pray it doesn’t come back and haunt us
Hopefully he’s okay but if not then there’s Jovic and Okafor. This season is different than last one so i’m not worried.
Puli likely won’t be fit due to the late return from USMNT. So Giroud injury is more trouble than the single problem.
So …
Leao – Jovic – Chuk is how it could go b/c Jovic is closer to a true 9. Okafur comes in for one of them for change of pace if/when needed.
I think I’m going to take refuge in the idea that it’s only one game against the Scudetto goal. But I’ll admit some butt hurt over it being The Derby.
We should have signed a lethal, younger number 9 early in the transfer window. You can’t expect to face inter, and then Newcastle with your backups and expect miracles