AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli will rely on Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao in tonight’s game against Napoli, and the duo are also in talks over a renewal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) talks about Leao and Giroud, who are the two souls of the Rossoneri attack, plus they are both in discussions with the management over extending their contracts, expiring in June 2024 and 2023 respectively.
For the Frenchman a renewal is imminent, but for the Portuguese winger it could also depend on the outcome of tonight’s big match, because going further in the competition brings a boost in revenues that can facilitate things.
On the pitch they have combined eight times this season with Leao setting up Giroud on six occasions and the former Chelsea man having reciprocated with two assists for the ex-Lille forward.
Tonight Giroud will reach match number 55 when counting from mid-April 2022 to today, considering his 32 league appearances, nine in the Champions League, three in cups and another 10 with the French national team.
His experience will also come in handy because he knows how to score in this stage of the competition, having netted four times in the Champions League knockouts starting in 2013. He scored goals in the round of 16 against Bayern Munich (on two different occasions), against Monaco and Atletico Madrid.
As for the renewal of Leao, the trust reaffirmed in public by the manager Maldini for the extension of his contract has not yet materialised in a signature. With €25m in revenues riding on tonight’s game, getting to the semi-finals will really help.
