Juventus 0-1 AC Milan: Olivier Giroud books Milan’s place in Champions League, Juve hopes ended

AC Milan secured Champions League football with a 1-0 win against Juventus in Turin on Sunday evening.

Juan Cuadrado had the first big chance of the match after 13 minutes when his vicious effort was brilliantly saved by Mike Maignan who got down quickly to palm it wide.

Both sides got forward in the opening 35 minutes but couldn’t make the breakthrough due to a lack of quality in the final third.

Stefano Pioli’s men took the lead five minutes from half-time thanks to a moment of genuine world-class quality from Olivier Giroud. Davide Calabria fired in a deep cross and Giroud was on hand to power his header back across goal and past Wojciech Szczesny.

Juventus continued to get into dangerous positions as they looked to find an equaliser but were often forced into taking on speculative shots from distance due to Milan’s solid defending.

Milan had a huge chance to make it 2-0 in the second half when Giroud slipped the ball into substitute Alexis Saelemaekers inside the box but the Belgian saw his shot smartly saved by Szczesny.

TALKING POINT – MILAN SECURE UCL FOOTBALL ONCE AGAIN

Stefano Pioli’s side had lost their last two away matches and only won one of their previous nine away from home. They came into this match knowing they needed just a point to confirm their presence in next season’s UEFA Champions League and they earned all three to celebrate in style. Their qualification means they will play in Europe’s elite competition for the third consecutive season. Domestically it has been a disappointing campaign especially when compared to last season but it was vital for the club that they secured their place in the UCL both financially and in terms of rebuilding Milan’s reputation in Europe after missing out on the competition entirely between 2014/15 and 2020/21.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – OLIVIER GIROUD (AC MILAN)

In a match that at times lacked quality and intensity, it was Olivier Giroud’s moment of magic that separated the two sides. The Frenchman demonstrated his class with his header, a goal worthy of winning any match. He won seven of his 11 aerial duels and remained a threat throughout. He could have had an assist also after sliding a great ball into Alexis Saelemaekers but the Belgian couldn’t convert.

PLAYER RATINGS

Juventus: Szczesny 6, Gatti 6, Bremer 6, Danilo 7, Cuadrado 7, Rabiot 6, Locatelli 6, Kostic 6, Di Maria 6, Chiesa 6, Kean 6 Subs: Paredes 6, Milik 6, Iling Junior 6, Bonucci 6

AC Milan: Maignan 7, Hernandez 6, Tomori 8, Thiaw 7, Calabria 7, Tonali 7, Krunic 7, Messias 6, Diaz 6, Leao 6, Giroud 8 Subs: Saelemaekers 6, Ballo-Toure 6, Pobega 6, Kalulu N/A Origi N/A

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

13′ A GREAT SAVE FROM MAIGNAN! – Juan Cuadrado fires a vicious effort on target but Mike Maignan gets down quick to palm it wide. A brilliant strike and a better save.

40′ GOAL – AC MILAN – AC Milan have taken the lead thanks to a brilliant header from Oliver Giroud! Calabria fires in a deep cross and Giroud powers a super header back across goal past Szczesny. A stunning goal from the Frenchman.

70′ A HUGE CHANCE FOR 2-0! – Olivier Giroud slips a pass into Saelemaekers on the right-hand side and he fires his effort on target but Szczesny is equal to it.

KEY STAT

AC Milan have done the double in Serie A against Juventus for only the fourth time in the last 50 years.