Tuttosport: Giroud out for the Lazio game as Pioli studies four possible alternative strikers

With Olivier Giroud out because of Covid and Zlatan Ibrahimovic having only just recovered, Stefano Pioli has some tough decisions to make.

According to Tuttosport (via MilanNews), Giroud will be forced to skip the Rossoneri’s next league match against Lazio, scheduled for September 12. The hope is that he will start testing negative quickly, but nonetheless Pioli will need to look at his approach against the Biancocelesti.

A lot will depend on the condition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who only returning to training with the rest of the squad two days ago having fully recovered after the knee operation on June 18th. Assuming he will start against Lazio seems far-fetched because of how long he has been out, but Zlatan has made previous miraculous recoveries and therefore there is a small chance he will be on the field from minute one.

Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic are candidates but both have shown last season that they are not their best in that position, and this is where Pietro Pellegri’s candidacy emerges, even if he too is not at 100%. Pioli will carefully observe all three and then choose who to play against Lazio.


READ MORE: Ibrahimovic gears up for his return at the right time as Giroud stops for Covid