Champions League: Giroud and the French Milan on a survival mission in Newcastle

AC Milan meets in hostile territory. This Wednesday (9 p.m.), while PSG will try to ensure their qualification for the round of 16 on the pitch of Borussia Dortmund, the Rossoneri will play just as big in Group F of the Champions League. Last in the group before the final day, the Lombard club has no other choice than to win against Newcastle to ensure, at a minimum, 3rd place, synonymous with the play-offs in the Europa League. A difficult mission given the sparkling form of the Magpies in front of their home crowd at St James' Park (seven wins in nine games) combined with the irregularity of Stefano Pioli's team, who will need a French colony at its best level.

Two weeks ago during the Dortmund reception, Milan and their Tricolores completely missed the point, experiencing a nightmare evening at San Siro (1-3 defeat). Penalty missed by Olivier Giroud at 0-0 and foul play by Mike Maignan on the third German goal, nothing went the right way. As an unfortunate consequence of this defeat, the outgoing semi-finalist in C1 found himself on the brink of the abyss from the group stage. To avoid the same fate as in 2021 (4th behind Liverpool, Atlético and Porto), the third in Serie A will have to pull out all the stops even if the recent collective performances are worrying in Lombardy.

Beaten in Bergamo against Atalanta (2-3) on Saturday and relegated to nine points behind the leader and sworn enemy in the championship, Inter Milan, the Rossoneri are at the bottom of the wave. The eighth goal scored by Giroud in the championship, with a header of course, did not prevent the new disappointment which further weakens coach Stefano Pioli. For whom elimination from all European competition from December would be a stain despite the presence of Milan in the supposed “group of death”.

All that remains is to defeat Eddie Howe's Magpies to avoid the wrath of the press and fans. Highly criticized after Dortmund, Giroud responded again this weekend and will undoubtedly be inhabited by a spirit of revenge which has so sublimated him since the start of his career. Same observation for Maignan, less “Magic” than at the start of the season and not helped by a crumbly defense. Since October 7, the date of the Milanese's last away success at Genoa (1-0), the PSG-trained goalkeeper has only made one clean sheet (against Fiorentina), notably conceding three goals in Bergamo, two in Lecce and four in front of PSG (round trip).

Faced with the attack of Newcastle, who shot 26 times on the Paris and Dortmund cages at St James’ Park (13 each), the French international risks being in high demand. And what about Theo Hernandez, disguised as a firefighter on duty in a central defender role on Saturday. Victim of the shortage at the position - the regulars including his compatriot Pierre Kalulu are all injured - the left side by training had to plug the gaps. Pioli also risks trying the (forced) experiment again by associating Lucas' brother, who plays full matches without rest, with the Englishman Fikayo Tomori in the middle.

A true backbone, the French brotherhood is expected to turn the corner but is counting on strong support. The twirling Rafael Leao has only played nine minutes since his recital against PSG (3-1) due to a thigh injury but has returned to collective training in recent days. His association with Giroud would give another face to the Milanese attack while the midfielder recovers Ismaël Bennacer. Having undergone knee surgery last May, the Algerian came into play against Frosinone (3-1) then Atalanta. He is not at risk of being sent to the start facing the intensity of the Toons but his technical quality could help at the end of the match.

Everything will depend on the scenario and also on what happens 900 kilometers from Newcastle, near Dortmund. If successful, Milan would advance to the round of 16 only if Paris loses in Germany. “Any hopes for Newcastle? Hope is the last to die. If you win, you will at least get the Europa League, where Milan can have a say” summarized Italian full-back Alessandro Florenzi. Hope keeps alive for the Rossoneri, who can still dream of an Ibrahimovic effect, the Swedish giant having returned to the club as management advisor this Monday. Except that Zlatan will not set foot on the pitch at St James’ Park. Unlike “Francese” Giroud, Maignan and Hernandez, more than ever with their backs to the wall.