---

January 14, 2024

European Roundup: Olivier Giroud on Target as Milan Defeat Roma – La Liga

AC Milan secured a commanding 3-1 home victory over Roma in Serie A on Sunday, with goals from Yacine Adli, Olivier Giroud, and Theo Hernández.

Milan opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Just outside the box, Adli received the ball, dodged his marker, and slotted it into the bottom corner. Giroud added to the lead in the 56th minute after Simon Kjær headed a cross into the box, setting up the French striker for a close-range header.

Roma, after a difficult first half, improved after the break. Leandro Paredes converted a 69th-minute penalty following Davide Calabria’s foul on Lorenzo Pellegrini. Still, Milan sealed the win with Hernández’s goal six minutes later.

Milan is now third in the standings with 42 points, nine behind leaders Inter Milan and four behind second-placed Juventus, who host Sassuolo on Tuesday. Roma is ninth with 29 points.

In La Liga, surprise leaders Girona were frustrated by a goalless draw against bottom-placed Almería. They finished the match with 10 men after Aleix García was shown a straight red card late in the second half.

With Real Madrid playing in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona in Saudi Arabia later on Sunday, Girona temporarily returned to the top of the table with 49 points, one ahead of Real Madrid and eight clear of Barcelona in third. Despite holding 55% possession, Girona struggled to create chances, managing just one shot on target. Almería, the better side on the day, remained winless in the league after 20 matches.

“We have no excuses … there is not an explanation to give or many ways to defend our situation because … we haven’t won a single game,” Almería’s manager, Gaizka Garitano, said. Almería had given a hard time to Barcelona before the Christmas break but came away empty handed after a late Sergi Roberto strike secured the Catalan club a 3-2 victory.

On Sunday, Almería were better throughout but were frustrated by the goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who made a string of saves. The midfielder Sergio Arribas wasted several great chances, including a close-range sitter.

After stopping Gonzalo Melero in his tracks in the 80th minute as the Almería midfielder attempted to break past Gazzaniga, García was told to leave. Girona weathered the late pressure to salvage a point. Still, it will seem like a lost opportunity to widen the gap at the top of the standings after a second draw in three games.

“We can’t always win. When the opposition beats you like today, it’s great news that we at least steal a point,” the Girona manager, Míchel, told reporters. “A team that wants to stay on top of the standings need games like this, in which they can rescue a point against a rival that plays better than you in every aspect of the game.”

Stuttgart, missing their top scorer Serhou Guirassy, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach as they resumed Bundesliga action after the winter break. Guirassy, who has netted 17 goals this season, is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Without him, Stuttgart lacked their usual attacking efficiency. Despite the loss, they remain third in the standings with 34 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig.

Gladbach took an early lead with Robin Hack netting after just 21 seconds of play, and he doubled their advantage 18 minutes later with a brilliant assist from Alassane Pléa. Stuttgart came close to pulling one back when Deniz Undav hit the post in the 32nd minute and created several more chances before Joshua Vagnoman finally reduced the deficit with a powerful strike in the 56th minute.

Gladbach sealed the win in stoppage time as Stuttgart pushed for an equalizer. Jordan scored on the rebound after Manu Koné’s shot hit the crossbar.

In France, Paris Saint-Germain extended their unbeaten Ligue 1 run to 13 games with a 2-0 win over Lens, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola. The victory gives PSG 43 points, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points ahead of second-placed Nice. Lens remains eighth with 26 points.

PSG’s opener came through a well-executed team move, with Mbappé setting up Barcola for an easy finish around the half-hour mark. Lens’ hopes were further dashed when Jonathan Gradit was sent off just before halftime for tripping Barcola as he raced towards goal.

Lens had a golden opportunity to take the lead earlier in the match. Still, Przemyslaw Frankowski missed a penalty, shooting straight at PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after a foul by Danilo on Elye Wahi. Mbappé secured PSG’s win in the 89th minute, finishing from a counterattack after a precise pass from Ousmane Dembélé, bringing his league tally to 19 goals for the season.

Rally behind your team! Check out our site and share your support with pride.

Footballnewstoday | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A