Since 2011-12, Filippo Inzaghi’s last year at Milan, the Rossoneri had been living under a sort of curse. Because the number nine was almost impossible to inherit, with too many expectations. From then on, Mandzukic, Piatek, Higuain, Fernando Torres, André Silva, Lapadula, Destro, Matri, Pato passed. One failure after another, starting with the Brazilian who first wore the number seven, with a certain grace and elegance, only to end up in the meat grinder of a number that seemed practically unapproachable.
Finally Olivier Giroud arrived. Almost on the sly, because he is over thirty, as well as being, in fact, deputy Ibrahimovic. It was much more, because if the Swede dragged – especially in the first period – Milan out of the shallows, helping them achieve a sort of stability as Stefano Pioli’s informal “supervisor”, Giroud has been decisive over the last few years. It’s not just the goal in the derby which, in fact, delivered an almost incredible Scudetto to the Rossoneri side of the Naviglio. Many goals, a World Cup as a protagonist, equal to the European Championship. Also – and finally, a clean sweep of the number nine shirt which seemed haunted.
Giroud always scored double figures during his years at Milan. Yet he seemed destined for Inter, in January 2021, when there was a back and forth with Chelsea, which ended in nothing. The story changes skin and color, in the most classic of “what would have happened if”. Good question. Olivier Giroud turns 38 today.