Olivier Giroud scored a brace as AC Milan cruised into the Coppa Italia semi-finals with an impressive 4-0 victory over rivals Lazio on Wednesday night.
The France international took his total tally for the season into double figures, with all 10 of his strikes coming in San Siro.
Giroud netted twice in quick succession just before half-time after Rafael Leao had opened the scoring for the home side in the 24th minute, while Franck Kessie completed the rout 11 minutes from time to make it four for the Rossoneri.
The reward for Stefano Pioli’s side is a mouth-watering clash with rivals Inter in the last four next month.
Milan players celebrating a goal against Lazio in the Coppa Italia clash on Wednesday, Feb 9 2022. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Milan had won just once in their nine previous Coppa Italia showdowns with Wednesday’s opponents Lazio, failing to score in the last five, but they ended that drought midway through the first half thanks to Rafael Leao.
Leao raced onto Alessio Romagnoli’s well-timed through ball before neatly slotting past former Rossoneri goalkeeper Pepe Reina from a tight angle.
The Portugal international then turned provider four minutes before the halftime whistle, squaring for Giroud to round off a quickfire Milan counter.
Giroud, who netted a match-winning brace against Inter on Saturday, was also in the right place on the stroke of half-time, peeling away at the far post to turn home Theo Hernandez’s low cross to double his tally in the match.
Milan forward Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring his second against Lazio in the Coppa Italia clash on Wednesday, Feb 9 2022. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Lazio arrived at San Siro on a four-match unbeaten streak since a 2-1 defeat by Inter on their last visit to Milan.
But things got worse for them midway through the second half when talisman Ciro Immobile, who had been involved in five goals in as many appearances against Milan, limped off injured.
And the hosts put the icing on the cake in the 79th minute; a deep free-kick into the box was only cleared as far as Kessie, who drilled past Reina.
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