AC Milan 3-3 Salernitana: Five things we learned – Giroud class and grazie Pioli | OneFootball

Milan faced Salernitana in the last game of the season and Stefano Pioli was hoping to go out with a win. Instead, due to a poor defensive display (yet again), they were held to a 3-3 draw. Still, the farewells were beautiful.

Both teams had nothing to play for, with Milan having secured the second spot and Salernitana relegated a while ago. However, given that it was the final game for Pioli, Olivier Giroud and Simon Kjaer, it was expected for the home side to grab all three points and finish this cycle in style.

However, after an impressive start and a two-goal lead for the Rossoneri, things took a wrong turn as Salernitana came back and made it 3-3. Ironically, the outcome seemed like the perfect ending for Pioli as that display encapsulated the up-and-down season that Milan have had.

Below are five things we learned from the game…

1. Giroud showing his class one last time

Giroud said goodbye to the Rossoneri in style, scoring with a lovely first-time finish to double his side’s lead. It was indeed the perfect ending to a very good tenure with the club, performing at a very high level at such a high age.

He arrived at the club in 2021 and was supposed to be a back-up for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, with the Swede struggling with injuries, Giroud eventually became the starting striker in an attempt to break the No.9 curse.

He certainly managed to bring certainty to that position with 39 goals and 17 assists in 97 games. He also helped the younger players and was a role model for the squad. In that sense, his departure will be very costly as a lot of experience will be lacking.

After the game, Giroud expressed his love for the Rossoneri colours and there’s no doubt that he has fought for the badge. He will be dearly remembered by the fans, helping them get back to the top and above all win the Scudetto.

2. Captain responds amid rumours

Davide Calabria had a solid game defensively as he wasn’t really at fault for the goals and he did well going forward, picking up a goal in the process. His first of the season, it should be noted, even if he had come close on previous occasions.

The captain has had a very mixed season, with a few injuries not helping his case, and there are rumours that a new right-back could arrive in the summer. Certainly, compared to the left-hand side where Theo Hernandez plays, there is room for improvement.

That being said, Calabria is Milanista through and through which is something that shouldn’t underestimated.

3. Dynamic down the left flank

It was a trademark performance by Hernandez and Rafael Leao in the final game of the season. They were both very dangerous when going forward, combining on a few occasions as well. Of course, Salernitana have been poor defensively but it’s still worth highlighting.

Hernandez was unlucky not to get his goal, disallowed for a very narrow offside after VAR check, and he had several good runs forward. His partner in crime, Leao, also had a good game with a strong start even if he was gifted the goal by the goalkeeper.

It will be interesting to see the duo under a new coach and some refreshed tactics as the current ones, as good as they are on their day, are too predictable by the opposition.

4. An impressive first season by Pulisic

Pulisic was very lively on the right flank and his performance pretty much summarised the positive first season in red and black. Indeed, thanks to an assist in the second half, he brought his points tally up to 26 for the season (15 goals and 11 assists, all comps).

The American arrived for a mere €20m plus bonuses in the summer after a very poor season with Chelsea. Samuel Chukwueze was signed shortly thereafter for €28m (including bonuses) and many had higher expectations of the Nigerian.

Pulisic was determined, though, and was a crucial part of Pioli’s side from the first round (when he scored a lovely goal against Bologna). It will be very interesting to see him build on this, knowing that he will head into next season as a certain starter which should only boost his confidence.

5. Grazie Pioli

Just like that, an important cycle has come to an end. Pioli arrived at Milan in a very delicate moment, with a team full of youngsters and not a lot of leaders, but he never complained and worked hard to find a solution.

The mere fact that he was brought in as a caretaker of sorts, but eventually stayed for almost five full seasons, is a compliment to his work. He brought Milan back to the Champions League for the first time in seven years and secured the first Scudetto in 11 years.

On top of that, he reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. The current campaign was far from ideal, but it wasn’t easy given the plethora of injuries that hit the team. And there were some good moments too, such as the wins against PSG and Newcastle in the Champions League.

He certainly stabilised the club after years of chaos and for that, we thank him. Grazie for all of your work, Stefano, it will not be forgotten.