MY ACCOUNT
Stefano Pioli has no worries about continuing to select Olivier Giroud to lead the AC Milan attack in the continued absence of Divock Origi.
Giroud has played in all seven of Milan’s matches so far this season, starting five of those, due to the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic and new signing Origi being injured.
Origi has managed just 80 minutes of action since arriving as a free agent in the transfer window and has yet to open his goalscoring account for the club.
Pioli had hoped to call on the ex-Liverpool striker before next week’s international break, but he has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb.
France international Giroud, who turns 36 later this month, is now expected to start at San Siro as he looks to add to his tally of three goals and an assist so far this term.
Milan head coach Pioli is not overly concerned by Origi’s injury-plagued start to life at the club and is happy for Giroud to continue in the role.
“Olivier can play every game, and I have many other players who can also play in that position,” Pioli said at Tuesday’s press conference.
“I’m not worried about Origi’s injury, but sorry. He is a player we strongly wanted and I’m now hoping to have him back after the [international] break.”
Giroud has scored only one goal in his past 11 Champions League appearances, managing just eight shots in total across that period – only five of which were on target.
Milan could do with the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker stepping up on Wednesday as they aim to improve on last week’s 1-1 draw away at Salzburg in their Group E opener.
However, Zagreb enter the contest in good form having won six games on the spin, including a 1-0 victory over Chelsea that leaves them top of the early standings.
“We have to put our full potential into every game,” Pioli said. “Tomorrow’s match is very important, but not yet decisive because there are many other matches remaining.
“We could be on top of the group with a win. We have a chance, but it will be difficult because Dinamo deservedly won the first game [against Chelsea].
“If we play at a high level, we have a good chance to win both in Italy and in Europe. We have to play at our best.”
