Marco Sportiello is injured and Antonio Mirante, who is the third-choice goalkeeper, is ready to make his first start for AC Milan, at the age of 40, and it will be against Juventus. But, he's not going to be the only 'veteran' on the field. In fact, we should not forget about the other 'old-timer' in the squad, Olivier Giroud.
As reported in this morning's print edition of the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Mirante's last league start came two and a half years ago, on April 18, 2021, when his former club Roma lost 3-1 away to Torino. It has not been a lucky autumn for Milan goalkeepers in recent history: after three consecutive injuries to Mike Maignan, now it is Sportiello's turn. The third-choice Mirante, an experienced campaigner with over 300 appearances in Serie A but no longer with the same sharpness as he once had, will have to don the cape of a superhero.
After Mirante, the oldest player in the squad is Olivier Giroud, who will also be in the starting lineup, as always at the center of the attack, against Juventus on Sunday evening. The French No. 9 turned 37 less than a month ago and remains a key member of Stefano Pioli's squad.
After a strong start to the Serie A campaign, the Frenchman has hit a dry spell, unfortunately for AC Milan fans and coach. In fact, he has not scored since September 1st when he scored away against AS Roma at the Olimpico stadium.
That's nine games ago. In big games, Giroud has always shown up: both the player himself, Pioli, and the entire Rossoneri environment are hoping that he can find his scoring touch again as early as Sunday evening.
