Champions League | Milan 4-0 RB Salzburg: Giroud is a knockout

Olivier Giroud scored two and assisted another for Rade Krunic, as Milan thumped RB Salzburg to book their place in the Champions League Round of 16 after a nine-year absence.

The Rossoneri needed only a point to be sure of second place behind Chelsea in the group and qualification to the knockouts. Fikayo Tomori returned from suspension, but Mike Maignan, Davide Calabria, Alexis Saelemaekers, Alessandro Florenzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were injured, with Aster Vranckx, Yacine Adli and Malick Thiaw ineligible. Salzburg made the trip without Fernando and Nicolas Capaldo.

Theo Hernandez was unlucky in the opening three minutes to see his angled drive clip the base of the far post after going on the counter, set up by Ante Rebic.

Fikayo Tomori returned from suspension and made a crucial block on Maurits Kjaergaard, but Milan took the lead when Olivier Giroud was allowed a free header on Sandro Tonali’s corner kick.

Giroud had the ball in the net for a second time on 26 minutes, but he was offside when turning in the rebound from a parried Theo Hernandez strike.

VAR had a good look at a Pierre Kalulu sliding tackle on Noah Okafor, but ultimately decided it was not a clear and obvious error, as he got a stud to the ball.

Tonali’s half-volley was smothered, Ciprian Tatarusanu needed a genuine save to beat away the Luka Sucic strike and only a desperate Strahinja Pavlovic tackle prevented Rafael Leao finishing his strong run.

Tatarusanu did even better when denying Junior Adamu from point-blank range with his knee on the stroke of half-time, as the striker met a low Kjaergaard cross from the left.

Milan doubled their lead within seconds of the restart, as Giroud knocked back the Ante Rebic cross from the right and Krunic was ready to nod in from six yards. He was the surprise starter and ended up with his debut Champions League goal.

The Rossoneri rounded out the scoreline as Rafael Leao gathered down the left, ran all the way along the edge of the area to find space, eventually pulling back from the right by-line for Giroud.

Leao wanted a goal of his own too, but at full stretch only thumped the crossbar when he should’ve left the low Rebic ball for Giroud in a better position behind him.

Tatarusanu got down to palm away a Sesko daisy-cutter, but Milan always seemed to be in complete control.

Junior Messias added a fourth in stoppages, cutting back inside past Pavlovic from the right for a left-foot curler.

Milan 4-0 RB Salzburg

Giroud 13, 57 (M), Krunic 46 (M), Messias 91 (M)