Rome (AFP)

AC Milan, without Zlatan Ibrahimovic absent until mid-September, provided the essentials for his debut at Sampdoria in Genoa (1-0), Monday, with a combative Olivier Giroud for his first steps in Italy and a Mike Maignan already impeccable on his line.

If the ex-Chelsea striker did not score, he wet the red and black jersey for 90 minutes, in a pivotal center-forward role à la "Ibra", not hesitating to press the defense high opposing.

Milan, deprived of other key pieces for the recovery (Kessié and Bennacer in the middle), was in tune with his new French center-forward, with a committed match, if not perfect.

A quick goal from Brahim Diaz, on a cross from Davide Calabria (9th), rewarded this solid entry.

Although he was not flawless at the time, Genoese goalkeeper Emil Audero kept watch all the rest of the match to keep the Blucerchiati afloat, decisive in particular in front of Rafael Leao (5th) and Theo Hernandez (26th).

Olivier Giroud also found the goalkeeper's gloves, after a good check, but he was perhaps in an offside position (40th).

And at the end of the match, he was not far from picking up a hot ball with his head (78th).

- Maignan's confidence -

No goal for the Frenchman, who ran a lot but was also often jostled by a defense determined to honor the reputation of the rough calcio, generally leaving less space than the English football that Giroud attended since 2012.

French striker Olivier Giroud, new recruit of AC Milan, on August 23 against Sampdoria Genoa MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

In the second half, we saw Milan coach Stefano Pioli ask him to take more depth, which the Frenchman tried to do, but without creating many chances.

Milan will count on him a lot at the start of the season, while Ibrahimovic, who had left knee surgery in June, will not be back on the pitch until mid-September.

At the other end of the pitch, the other French rookie in the Milan transfer window, Mike Maignan, also made his debut.

Responsible for making forget Gianluigi Donnarumma, gone to Paris SG, the former Lille has managed a faultless.

He was impeccable on his line, in particular to deflect a powerful free kick from Manolo Gabbiadini (17th) on his bar and then block a new attempt by the Genoese (53rd).

It was just as much in his aerial outings or at the foot, in front of Fabio Quagliarella (14th, 56th).

The goalkeeper N.3 of the Blues showed a lot of confidence in his interventions, especially in a more tense end of the match.

A decisive performance because Milan, a little less dashing in the second half, failed to take off, Ante Rebic missing a ball 2-0 in added time.

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