GIROUD STEERS AC MILAN OVER THE LINE: 2-1 IN KÖLN

It was a good start to the 2022/23 season for Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan. In front of over 40,000 fans at the RheinEnergieStadion in Köln, the Rossoneri produced a fine performance to run out 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from Olivier Giroud. Considering that the opposition will play their opening Bundesliga match on 7 August and are further ahead in their preparations, it was a test that the Diavolo passed with flying colours. There were many interesting moments in the first half in particular, with Díaz, Rebić and a particularly inspired Giroud displaying all of their quality.

Also noteworthy was the way AC Milan’s centre-back pairing performed. Gabbia was attentive throughout, while Kalulu was involved in the build-up to the Rossneri’s second goal. Tommaso Pobega, who spent 82 minutes out on the pitch, produced a tidy display full of character in the middle of the park. After the break, there was plenty of focus on Yacine Adli, who wore the No.7 shirt, while Coach Pioli also sent on several members of the Primavera side. Despite all the changes, the Diavolo held firm to emerge victorious from their first pre-season friendly.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM 1. FC KÖLN v AC MILAN

HOW IT UNFOLDED
The match started at a high tempo as Modeste had a headed chance; at the other end, Giroud fired wide from distance. On the 16-minute mark, the Frenchman opened the scoring: Rebić combined with Messias and found Giroud with a delicious back-heel; the latter then dinked the ball over Schwäbe and tapped it into the net. AC Milan put their foot on the accelerator, with 1. FC Köln struggling to create any real clear-cut chances. Indeed, Tătăruşanu’s save to deny Kainz was the only time they posed a threat for the rest of the half. The Diavolo doubled their advantage after 36 minutes as Giroud controlled the ball and curled it past Schwäbe via a deflection off Chabot. The two teams headed into the break with the Rossoneri two to the good.

The pace wasn’t so high in the second half with opportunities few and far between. AC Milan denied their opponents space and looked to manage the ball in an attempt to lower the intensity of the game even more. The numerous changes made by both coaches initially didn’t do anything to alter the course of the match. In the final 15 minutes, however, the hosts shook things up, making use of the flanks in particular to try and trouble an alert Mirante. The German side reduced the arrears in the 86th minute: Arrey-Mbi’s header hit the bar before Hector's volley was nodded in by Dietz. AC Milan’s defence remained solid in the closing stages as the Rossoneri comfortably saw the game out. It finished 2-1 to us.

MATCH DETAILS

1. FC KÖLN 1-2 AC MILAN

1. FC KÖLN (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe; Schmitz (46' Ehizibue), Hübers, Chabot (72' Arrey-Mbi), Pedersen (72' Hector); Ljubičić (27' Schindler (72' Thielmann)), Skhiri (72' Olesen); Adamyan (46' Lemperle), Uth (72' Maina), Kainz (72' Martel); Modeste (78' Dietz). Subs.: Horn; Kilian, Schwirten. Coach: Baumgart.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu (46' Mirante); Florenzi (61' Coubis), Kalulu (61' Michelis), Gabbia, Ballo-Touré (82' Bartesaghi); Bakayoko (75' Brescianini), Pobega (82' Robotti); Messias (61' Traorè), Díaz (46' Adli), Rebić (61' Maldini); Giroud (61' Roback). Subs.: Stanga; Gala. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany).
Goals: 16' Giroud (M), 36' Giroud (M), 86' Dietz (K).

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