AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has confirmed that Olivier Giroud picked up a hamstring injury during tonight’s win against Atletico Madrid.
Milan went into the game knowing they needed to win at the home of the LaLiga champions in order to keep their slim hopes of making the knockout stages alive, and they managed to get a vital three points thanks to a goal with just over three minutes left on the clock.
Theo Hernandez played a ball into Franck Kessie who was playing as a makeshift attacking midfielder by the end, and he stood up an inch-perfect cross where Junior Messias was waiting to head in for his first Milan goal.
Pioli spoke during a post-match press conference after the huge victory against Diego Simeone’s side, which somewhat avenges the 2-1 defeat at San Siro on the second matchday.
Did you think you could get to a point where you can still qualify going into the game against Liverpool?
“The difficulties of the group were obvious, but I was hoping to get to the last with four points more. For some unfavourable situation we were close to it, but at the moment what counts for me is the performance of the team, against a very strong opponent. on a very complicated field. We deservedly won, playing an excellent match,” he said (via MilanNews).
What title would you give to this evening?
“I’ll leave it to you, I congratulated all my players for their performance. They showed quality and desire to play this match.”
How are Giroud, Leao and Ibrahimovic?
“Unfortunately he got hurt, he had pain in his flexor, the tests will tell how serious the injury is. It is the only discordant note of the evening, he was better after so many difficulties and did not want this. Leao was fatigued, it was not the time to take a risk and I hope he recovers by Sunday. Ibra is fine.
It is a miraculous evening for Messias who has gone from delivery man to this. The next game is played on 7 December, the day of Saint Ambrose. Are you expecting a gift?
“In the meantime, I would remove the miraculous, otherwise it seems that Messias is here by chance. Messias is here because he deserves Milan, he is late but he will prove he can stay there, he also has different characteristics from the others.
“Now we throw ourselves back into the league, we have two games to play carefully, we need great balance and great humility to face the rest of the season.”
WATCH: Tiziani Crudeli almost in tears as he celebrates Messias’ goal vs. Atletico