Pioli hails Giroud’s outstanding performance as a goalkeeper against Genoa

Following the crazy ending to the game between Genoa and AC Milan, Stefano Pioli has heaped praise on Olivier Giroud, who finished the game in goal.

Milan struggled to break down Genoa, who defended with all of their men, and it took until the 87th minute before Christian Pulisic found the back of the net. A great goal, but the drama didn’t end there.

Mike Maignan was sent off in injury time and Olivier Giroud had to go in goal, making a necessary save moments later. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Pioli shared his thoughts on the madness.

The Milan manager said of the intense endgame.

“This is the beauty of our job, you experience emotions that you don’t even imagine. It was a strange match, very tense and nervous. We struggled but we wanted to win and we believed in it, great credit to my players. We played a lot, sacrificed a lot, we put in a performance to try to win.”

And Giroud in goal.“I’d like to think that what Oli did when he put on Mike’s shirt is part of our spirit. It is part of our mentality. The fact of trying to bring home an important victory. He wanted Pulisic to go in goal because he has probably already done it in the past, but I told him there was a free kick and he is small. Afterward, it went well, it also takes luck. We’ve been lucky in the last few episodes. But I think it’s part of the mentality of a group that wants to give its best, it’s the thing that makes me happiest.”

On Pulisic’s goal,

“VAR would have seen it 3-4 times, if they decided it was a goal then obviously it was right. Then I don’t know and honestly, I don’t even care.”