Olivier Giroud lives his “dolce vita” (sweet life) in Italy. Arrived last summer free, after three seasons at Chelsea, the French striker completed his trophy cabinet. A new championship title. Ten after his first with Montpellier, the striker won Serie A with AC Milan. The Lombard club had not known this coronation for eleven years.
Above all, Olivier Giroud experienced an express adaptation for his first season on the other side of the Alps. At 35, the former Chelsea Blues has played 38 games in all competitions, and planted 14 goals. He finished co-top scorer for Milan in the league. “I had a difficult time at the beginning of autumn with the Covid and then back pain. But I gritted my teeth, admits Olivier Giroud during his interview with L'Equipe. I knew how to be decisive in matches. This end of the season was trying but it was worth it.
The former Arsenal player (2012-2018) happy in Italy, he who was looking for a last challenge. “This title and my season confirm me in this choice. I took off the Ibra lining label little by little to make my place. In the head of the coach, I was never Zlatan's replacement. The rotation was always balanced when we were both available. We did the job. Ibra finished with eight goals in the Championship. The guy still did the job at 40. And me, at 35, I proved that I could still last a few seasons.
Arriving in Lombardy, Olivier Giroud was not too disoriented. As at Arsenal and Chelsea, the second top scorer in the history of the France team found a colony of Tricolores: Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, Pierre Kalulu. Crucial players in the quest for the title according to the Milan n°9. “This title is the success of a group that never gave up and was united. We have always stuck together. From Leao who was crowned best player of the season to Mike (Maignan) in goal via (Sandro) Tonali or (Pierre) Kalulu who had a great second part of the season. Theo (Hernandez) has also been phenomenal on the left. This title has a nice French accent.
However, despite this successful season, "Oliv" is again absent from the list of Blues. The France team will play four games in early June as part of the Nations League. With Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Wissam Ben Yedder, Christopher Nkunku. Without Olivier Giroud. “I take it all with detachment and serenity. There is a bit of disappointment all the same, but no bitterness. I know I still have great things to do. Already with my club then with the France team if it returns. The Blues remain the red thread of my career.
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