May 31, (THEWILL)- Veteran French striker, Olivier Giroud, bid farewell to AC Milan in subdued fashion as they slipped to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of AS Roma in an entertaining post-season friendly in Perth, on Friday. With 56,522 fans in attendance at the Optus Stadium, all eyes were on the 37-year-old Giroud, as he prepared to leave Europe, where he has played at the top level in France, England, and Italy, to join Los Angeles FC next season.
The 2018 World Cup-winning striker, who is France’s record goalscorer with 57 goals in 131 internationals, will have a chance to add to that tally at the Euros later this month before bowing out of international football. Giroud, who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and the Serie A title with Milan in 2021/2022, signed off from league duty in Italy with a goal in a 3-3 draw with Salernitana on Saturday.
Giroud almost replicated that effort in the 30th minute against Roma, only to hit the post. However, he struggled to get involved and was constantly crowded out by Roma defenders aiming to deny him a farewell flourish, and he was substituted at halftime. Roma midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, firing past Marco Sportiello, before French left-back Theo Hernandez tied things up with a fierce shot from outside the area in the 37th minute.
Roma reclaimed the lead just before halftime through England international Tammy Abraham, who has been linked with a return to the English Premier League after being made available for transfer. It was an all-out attack in the second half, with both teams having made a slew of changes. Angelino made it 3-1 early in the half, and although Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud, pulled one back for Milan, Paulo Dybala and Sardar Azmoun rounded out the victory for Roma.
It was the only match of the tour, with the teams set to fly out of Perth just hours after the game, having arrived on Wednesday morning. The match provided a less-than-stellar fitting farewell for Giroud, who leaves a lasting legacy in European football as he embarks on a new chapter in his career with Los Angeles FC.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
