Veteran French striker Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan in subdued fashion as they lost 5-2 to AS Roma in an entertaining post-season friendly in Perth on Friday.
Just days after the Serie A season ended, Roma prevailed in a high-octane contest in front of 56,522 fans at the Optus Stadium.
All eyes were on Giroud, 37, as he leaves Europe, where he played at the highest level in France, England and Italy, to join Los Angeles FC next season.
The 2018 World Cup-winning striker is France’s record goalscorer with 57 goals in 131 international appearances, and will have the chance to add to that tally at the Euros later this month, after which he will be eliminated from international football.
Giroud, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the Serie A title with Milan in 2021-2022, ended his Italian league service with a goal in the 3-3 draw with Salernitana on Saturday.
He almost repeated his shot in the 30th minute against Roma, but hit the post.
But Giroud found it difficult to get involved and was constantly sent off by Roma defenders, who were intent on denying him a farewell flourish, and was substituted at half-time.
Roma midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi opened the scoring in the 27th minute, firing past Marco Sportiello.
Giroud almost equalized immediately, but it was French left-back Theo Hernandez who equalized with a powerful shot from outside the box in the 37th minute.
Roma regained the lead just before half-time through England international Tammy Abraham, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League after being made available for transfer.
The attack was total in the second half, with both teams making a series of changes.
Angelino made it 3-1 at the start of the half and although Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud, pulled one back for Milan, Paulo Dybala and Sardar Azmoun completed Roma’s victory.
It was the only match on the tour with the teams leaving Perth just hours after the game, having arrived on Wednesday morning.
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