Olivier Giroud is one of the most successful strikers in French football history, having scored over 100 goals for his country and helping France to win two World Cups. However, he has also had a mixed record at the highest level of European football, with his performances at AC Milan being no exception.
Giroud made the move to Serie A from Chelsea in the summer of 2018, hoping to rediscover his form after a difficult time at Arsenal. He started well at Milan, scoring four goals in his first five matches, but then struggled to find the back of the net as the season wore on. Injuries also played a part in his poor form, with Giroud only making 25 appearances for the club before being loaned out to Monaco.
At Monaco, Giroud continued to struggle with injuries, missing several key games for the team. Despite this, he still managed to score 16 goals in just 29 appearances, showing that he was still capable of performing at the top level despite his age and injury concerns. However,Serie A Stadium his performances were not enough to save Monaco from relegation to Ligue 2, and Giroud returned to Italy to play for AC Milan.
In his debut season at AC Milan, Giroud was again plagued by injuries, which limited him to just 17 appearances and only six starts. Despite this, he managed to score eight goals, including a crucial brace against Inter Milan in November 2019, which helped to secure a Europa League spot for the team. However, Giroud's defensive contribution was not impressive, with his pass completion rate of just 64% ranking him among the lowest in Serie A.
Overall, Giroud's performance at AC Milan was disappointing, with his lack of defensive contributions and inconsistent form limiting his impact on the team. While he did manage to score some important goals, his struggles on the defensive side of the ball will be something that managers will need to take into account when considering his future at the club or elsewhere.