Giroud Becomes Goalkeeper, Milan Beats Genoa To Win The Top Of The Standings

Striker Olivier Giroud (right) became the goalkeeper when he brought AC Milan to a 1-0 win over Genoa in the Italian Serie A match. (Twitter @acmilan)

JAKARTA - AC Milan took advantage of the failure of one city rival, Inter Milan, to get full points. Milan also managed to coup Inter and win the top of Italy's SEie A standings after a narrow 1-0 win over Genoa at Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Sunday, October 8 in the morning WIB.

Milan played a tough battle to the throne. The team's victory was only determined towards the end of normal time after Christian Pulisic broke into the opponent's goal.

When entering injury time, the match got hotter. Even the two goalkeepers who stood under the bar got a red card.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was first met red after committing a strong foul on Caleb Ekuban in the 90+9 minute.

Maignan had time to undergo treatment. But he was then shown a red card. Because the quota for Milan's substitution has run out, coach Stefano Pioli cannot enter the reserve goalkeeper.

The aftermath of striker Olivier Giroud who took over the goalkeeper's position. Giroud's appearance was no less beautiful.

He made two brilliant saves, including when the former French national team striker left the net to thwart George Puscas' attempt.

When the game was two minutes remaining, it was Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martinez's turn to leave the field because he got a red card. Martinez committed a foul on Yunus Musah in the 90+13 minute.

However, Genoa still has a substitution quota so that it can include goalkeeper Nicola Leali. He came in to replace Koni de Winter to take over Martinez's position.

There was no change in the score despite the change of two goalkeepers. The score remained 1-0 for Milan and when the final whistle sounded, the Rossoneri player stormed and hugged Giroud.

"I actually never felt a moment like this. I am proud of the team. We fought until the end," Giroud was quoted as saying by Football Italia.

"I made a good save. But I was lucky when the ball then crossed over the goal. It's just that I never made a goalkeeper move. So I felt pain in my arm. But this doesn't matter," he said again.

The win over Genoa led Milan to the top of the table with 21 points. They were two points ahead of Inter who dropped to second place after a 2-2 draw against Bologna.

Meanwhile, Genoa is still struggling at the bottom. They are ranked 15th with eight points.