Olivier Giroud makes crucial 104th-minute save to protect huge AC Milan Serie A win after Mike Maignan red card

ByBen Southby

Published 07/10/2023 at 23:07 GMT+1

There was a crucial 104th-minute save in the game between Genoa and AC Milan by Olivier Giroud - yes, you read that right - as the striker stopped George Puscas’ last-gasp effort to protect three points for Milan. Giroud took Mike Maignan’s shirt and gloves in the 97th minute after the Milan goalkeeper was dismissed for serious foul play, shortly after Christian Pulisic scored the decisive goal.

Wild finale as GOALKEEPER Giroud makes brave save to secure Milan huge win!

Olivier Giroud made the difference in AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Genoa on Saturday, but not down the end of the pitch you’d expect.

The Milan striker made a crucial save to deny George Puscas from equalising for Genoa in the dying minutes of Saturday's Serie A game, following Mike Maignan’s dismissal for serious foul play.

Christian Pulisic struck an 87th-minute winner for Milan with a well-taken half-volley, his fourth goal of the season, and 10 minutes later Maignan was issued a straight red card.

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The goalkeeper had caught Caleb Ekuban in the face with his knee as he tried to head a ball clear, and after a VAR check was given his marching orders.

Giroud was handed Maignan’s shirt and gloves and took his team-mate's place in between the sticks for the final few minutes of added-time.

He immediately had to face the consequent free-kick following Maignan’s foul - right on the edge of the box - and fortunately for Milan and Giroud, Albert Gudmundsson’s free-kick ricocheted off the wall and hit the woodwork.

Giroud takes the gloves after goalkeeper Maignan is sent off

Then Giroud was called into action with almost the final kick of the game.

Genoa, with time running out, threw everything at Milan, and Puscas was put through on goal following a flick-on from Ekuban.

Giroud came rushing off his line to meet the ball first, which he did to scrappily punch the ball out of Puscas’ path, before scrambling on the loose ball and all but confirming a big three points for Milan.

Stefano Pioli's side lead the way in Serie A with seven wins from eight, two ahead of second-placed Inter.

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