Giroud discusses faith in Pioli, Zlatan’s return, his personal future and Milan’s aims

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·26 de enero de 2024

Giroud discusses faith in Pioli, Zlatan’s return, his personal future and Milan’s aims

Olivier Giroud has insisted that he and his team-mates never stopped backing Stefano Pioli, while he spoke about some of AC Milan’s objectives and his own future.

Giroud will turn 38 years of age this year but he runs and scores like a 20-year-old, despite the fact that he has won virtually everything that a player dreams of winning when they are playing as a kid.

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He has 12 trophies including a Champions League, a World Cup and arguably the most incredible Scudetto in Milan’s history. He has almost 300 career goals and 56 for his country, making him France’s best ever scorer.

For the Rossoneri he has scored 43 times so far, including a brace to win the derby and a winner away at Napoli in the title season, plus big goals in the present campaign.

He has 18 goal contributions this season, but with a contract expiring at the end of the season his future has been thrust into doubt.

Giroud gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his past, present and future at Milan, with his comments translated below.

Let’s start with the present. Ten goals and seven assists in the league, are you improving even at 37?

“You can always improve, it’s a question of willpower, and assists have always been part of my game. I think my career can be a good example for younger people: you never stop growing.

“Especially if you are where you would like to be: I feel good at Milan, I received a dream welcome, there is a great relationship with Pioli and his staff.”

Much has been said and written about his future. Will Pioli stay at Milan next season too?

“When he was in the storm I talked to him, always giving him my support. I told him: ‘I’ve been there too, I’m always here if you need me’. When I scored against Roma, I celebrated for him too.

“The coach and I have a relationship of mutual trust: I always give my best for him and for the team and he knows it.”

And Giroud, will you stay?

“I don’t know yet what will happen in the future. But I know that I feel good here and that I did great things at Milan. Ours is a love story.

“We haven’t really discussed the renewal topic with the club yet, we’ll see and decide later. The most important thing is to stay focused on the team’s objectives.”

There was talk about the United States. Is that the most likely destination in the event of a farewell to Milan?

“There are also other countries, at the end of the season more opportunities will open up and I will make my decision. As a footballer and as a family man.”

What if a young striker arrived at Milan in the summer?

“It wouldn’t be a problem at all, because I’m not afraid of competition. For me it has always been an incentive to do even more, I need it.”

It was like this with Ibrahimovic too. Now that Zlatan has retired, everyone is curious: what is he doing at Milanello?

“Ibra is the link between RedBird and the team, he connects us with the ownership without overlapping with Pioli’s work.

“He is here to help, especially on mental approach and motivation. He talks to us and helps us. He says: ‘If you win, I win too’.”

Does he also give advice to a 37 year old world champion?

“Certainly. He always encourages me, talks to me before and during matches, at half-time. He wants me to speak up, to help my team-mates.

“Zlatan knows that this is a young group that needs experience, players who speak up and set an example. He wants me to be more of a leader.”

Leao doesn’t seem like himself, and he hasn’t scored in the league for a long time…

“There are a lot of expectations on him. Rafa knows that he must be even more demanding of himself, he knows his worth.

“As a team-mate, I can say that someone like him is decisive even when he doesn’t score. Aspects that perhaps don’t immediately catch the eye count in a team.

“We know that Rafa can do more and we support him: he can rise to a very high level. He needs continuity. And a few more goals, of course.”

It’s like speaking to a director! Might you become that in your career?

“Yes, I would like to become a sporting director. Dealing with the first team, the youth sector, the transfer market: all this gives you an overview. I certainly won’t be a coach, too much stress… (laughter).”

Let’s go back to the present. Are 20 goals in Serie A a target?

“If I can do it, yes. I don’t set myself any barriers for goals! I would also like to reach double figures with assists.”

Do you still believe in the Scudetto?

“The goal is to focus on the path. If we are well and do as we should, we can try to shorten Juventus and Inter, who are playing a great season.

“In April we will meet them both, one after the other, we have to get there as soon as possible. First we win and earn points, then we talk. For now it’s difficult to think about the Scudetto.”

In 2023 you lost all five derbies, how much does it sting?

“It burns. The derby must burn here (he touches his chest). Ibra also serves this purpose, to make the younger players understand that the derby is a special match, it must come from the heart and the soul. We are on the right track, even if there are still too many games left.”

Your Europa League begins in February. Milan are…

“… among the teams that can win it. We are a bit of an outsider and a bit of a favourite: it’s a trophy that we want to try to win also because it’s missing from the club’s trophy cabinet.”

Let’s play a game: we’ll award Michelin stars to the best young strikers. Let’s take only the best, as is done with restaurants, and divide them into young ones with one star, therefore very strong, two stars, therefore super, and three stars, the best in the world. Haaland?

“Three stars: he’s devastating, too powerful, he’s big but he has power and speed.”

Who is there with three stars like him?

“Mbappé obviously. And Vinicius.”

And two stars?

“There are few two-star players. Here, Rafa… yes, Rafa deserves them.”

Sesko?

“I’ve been following him for two-three years, he’s still young, he can improve a lot. Let’s say one and a half stars.”

Endrick? Zirkzee?

“Endrick played in South America, I didn’t see much of him. Zirkzee is good but let’s not put pressure on him: he deserves a star anyway.”

No Italians? Scamacca maybe?

“Scamacca is good but he needs to confirm himself. He deserves a star.”

In the end, a more delicate topic. How is Maignan?

“Mike is fine, he’s strong. What happened in Udine is behind us but it must no longer exist, in life as on a football pitch, where we all must set a good example.”

Those fans will no longer go to the stadium. Do you agree with the hard line?

“Yes, it’s right. Now they will have a game behind closed doors and the club will lose money. Maybe this will be a reason to do more next time.”

At the end of the game there was a hug with Mike, with a finger pointing to the sky…

“We are both believers and that victory, after what had happened, was an answer from heaven.”

What does Olivier Giroud pray for?

“For the gratitude, I thank God because my family and I are well. I feel lucky to know Jesus and his life, to be a witness to God’s love, and I don’t find it difficult or embarrassing, it’s natural for me.

“I try to always be in joy, peace and love. I pray for well-being and for my “enemies”, that they find God. For peace and for political leaders: never before has a collective awareness been needed.”