Roma spoil Giroud’s Milan farewell in Perth

AFP | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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 yesterday.

Just days after the Serie A season ended, Roma had the edge in a high-octane contest in front of 56,522 fans at the Optus Stadium.

All eyes were on 37-year-old Giroud as he leaves Europe, where he has played at the top level in France, England and Italy, to head next season to Los Angeles FC.

The 2018 World Cup winning striker is France’s record goalscorer with 57 in 131 internationals and will have a chance to add to that tally at the Euros later this month, after which he will bow out of international football.

“I learned so much from him. He is such a legend,” said Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud at halftime. “Big respect that he can perform at that age. I’m going to miss him....just going to enjoy these last hours together.”

Giroud, who won the 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.