- AC Milan dominated their match against Newcastle and had 25 shots on goal
- They failed to score, and Olivier Giroud bemoaned his side’s luck afterwards
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Olivier Giroud was left ruing AC Milan’s luck after his team squandered several clear-cut chances in their 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Tuesday night.
The Magpies returned to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, but were second best for long periods at the San Siro as Milan created chance after chance.
However, through a combination of poor finishing and a strong showing from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, Milan were kept at bay as both sides had to settle for a point.
Giroud views the result as a missed opportunity, and admitted his team must be more ruthless in the final third.
‘I think we had so many scoring opportunities and efficiency in front of goal is very important at this level,’ he told Sky Sport Italia after the match.
Olivier Giroud felt AC Milan were unlucky not to pick up all three points against Newcastle
Nick Pope kept Milan at bay by making a string of fine saves throughout the match
Giroud called for his team to be more ruthless in front of goal after they failed to convert any of their 25 shots
‘We need to evaluate what has to be improved and focus on the next game. This is football, sometimes it is better to forget, but always with the desire to learn.
‘I think we were lacking some luck.’
Milan were looking to bounce back from a humiliating 5-1 derby defeat against Inter Milan on Saturday, and they produced a much-improved display.
They had 25 shots on goal in the match, but failed to find a breakthrough with Giroud guilty of missing a couple of chances himself.
His team-mate Rafael Leao arguably squandered the best chance of the night, as he slalomed into the box but then tried an audacious flick past Pope and tripped over his own feet.
It remains to be seen how costly Milan’s profligacy in front of goal will prove, with the Serie A giants and Newcastle placed in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Milan’s next group match will see them travel to Dortmund on October 4, while Newcastle host the French champions PSG on the same night.
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