SERIE A – Olivier Giroud on fire offers the derby to Milan against Inter (1-2) – Eurosport FR

Call it San Olivier! Author of a saving double at the end of the meeting, Giroud allowed AC Milan to win the 230th Derby of the Madonnina (2-1). Inter opened the scoring in the first half through Ivan Perisic. But the furia rossonera got the better of the defending champion, who can see Naples come back to one point.

He took full advantage of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s package. Olivier Giroud got AC Milan out of a bad position on Saturday night against the rival, thanks to a double. The heroes of this victory are multiple. The Milan derby changed forever after Brahim Diaz entered on the hour mark. The Spanish international transformed the Rossoneri’s game, bringing verticality.

While one of his shots was blocked by the rear of Inter, the ball was extended into the back of the net by the French striker (1-1, 75th). Giroud, three minutes later, gave his side a definitive advantage with a magnificent sequence: control oriented behind the supporting leg, curled strike, small net (2-1, 78th).

Maignan (almost) impassable

But it would be dishonest not to give more credit to Mike Maignan’s performance. The tricolor goalkeeper was exceptional in his goals. He was seizing on a strike from Marcelo Brozovic deflected by Pierre Kalulu (11th), imperial in front of Denzel Dumfries (29th), leaping against Lautaro Martinez (38th) and reactive on interventions outside his area (46th, 51st). Only Ivan Perisic deceived his vigilance with a recovery from a corner (0-1, 39th), but Maignan had been abandoned by his defense.

More than a point difference

For Inter, it’s a cold shower. The opportunities were multiple, the Nerazzuri could have killed the game two or even three times in the first period. Their drop in diet, coupled with good coaching from Stefano Pioli, was fatal to them.

And if Simone Inzaghi had assured, before the meeting, that it “would not be decisive for the Scudetto”, it is clear that Inter – who have one game less – see their rival return to a length. Naples, which travels to Venice on Sunday, can also benefit. The title race is on!