Tottenham boost as AC Milan fear ‘incredible’ star will miss UCL second leg

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AC Milan now fear Olivier Giroud will miss their Champions League Round of 16 second leg with Tottenham Hotspur due to illness. Divock Origi would likely start in the striker’s place.

That is according to Sport Mediaset, which reports that Giroud missed training on Monday after contracting flu. It could now force the Frenchman to miss Wednesday’s clash in north London. The Rossoneri fly to England with a 1-0 lead following the first leg of the last 16 tie.

San Siro boss Stefano Pioli remains hopeful of having Giroud available at Tottenham as he has shown signs of progress. The Italian could even take the 36-year-old with AC Milan just in case he recovers fully or sufficiently enough to occupy a seat on the Serie A side’s bench.

AC Milan will track Giroud’s recovery from flu continuously ahead of flying to Tottenham in the Champions League. But Pioli is preparing to unleash Origi beside Rafael Leao and either Rade Krunic or first-leg match-winner Brahim Diaz with Giroud unlikely to play 90 minutes.

Pioli will give Giroud as look as possible to recover, though, with the 120-cap France icon a vital Rossoneri player. The San Siro natives consider the striker essential through his threat in the air and great experience. He is also their best player at holding play up in the attack.

AC Milan risk being without the essential Olivier Giroud at Tottenham due to flu

Diaz sealed AC Milan a 1-0 aggregate lead over Tottenham just seven minutes into the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. The 23-year-old headed home to break the deadlock after Fraser Forster denied Theo Hernandez but could only parry Diaz’s initial hit.

Giroud also started for AC Milan at home to Tottenham for one of the former Arsenal star’s 32 appearances this season. He has scored 11 and assisted six goals in all competitions so far this term, too. The attacker has struck four and created two goals in Europe, as well.

His performances in Pioli’s side have also captivated Rossoneri captain Davide Calabria. He told DAZN, via quotes by Milan News, in January: “He’s a great player. When he arrived [in 2021 from Chelsea for £1m] we were sure of the champion he still is today. It’s incredible.”