AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud became the oldest player to reach double figures in his debut Serie A season, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo by two years.
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AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud became the oldest player to reach double figures in his debut Serie A season, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo by two years. The Frenchman scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Sassuolo on Sunday to take his tally for the season to 11 goals in 29 Serie A appearances. Meanwhile, the result helped the Rossoneri to clinch their first Scudetto in 11 years, finishing two points clear of second-placed Inter Milan, who defeated Sampdoria 3-0 in the other match of the day. The 35-year-old finished as Milan’s top goal-scorer along with Rafael Leao.
It’s coming home… right side of Milan ♥️?????? pic.twitter.com/7y8XuyAZdH
— Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) May 22, 2022
Giroud joined Milan from Chelsea in July, 2021. The veteran striker was an instrumental figure in Stefano Pioli’s side. He, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic shared the centre-forward duties, and Pioli did a fine job of using the veterans to a good effect. Giroud played 78 minutes in the final game of the season against Sassuolo before making way for 40-year-old Ibrahimovic, who was returning after an injury layoff. The Swedish international who was on eight goals, needed two more to make it to the record books but couldn’t get on the score-sheet as his effort from Rafael Leao’s assist was adjudged offside.
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Giroud spent nine years in the English Premier League before switching to Milan. Arsenal brought him from French club Montpellier in 2012 and he stayed with them for six years. Giroud left the Gunners for Premier League and London rivals in January 2018. As reported by BBC Sport at the time, the Blues paid Arsenal GBP 18 million for the France international. During his time at Emirates, Giroud scored 105 goals in 253 games. At Chelsea the big striker won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FA cup once each.
The veteran scored two goals at the Magpie stadium on Sunday. The first one arrived inside the opening 17 minutes. Leao stole the ball from Kaan Ayhan on the half-way line and raced forward before setting up Giroud to slot home from 10 yards. The second goal arrived when Leao again showed some good footwork to get past defenders before cutting the ball back from the byline for Giroud to once again fire home from 10 yards. The third came from the right flank, once again from a Leao assist as the Portuguese international ran on to Rade Krunic’s pass before pulling the ball back from the byline for Kessie to sweep in with the inside of his left boot from eight yards.
Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, scoring 21 goals in his debut season. The Portuguese international spent three seasons in Italy, scoring 71 Serie A goals before moving to Manchester United last summer. The 37-year-old won two Serie A trophies, two Italian Super Cup and a Coppa Italia with the Old Lady. He also won the Serie A golden boot award in the 2020-21 season with 29 scalps to his name.
