AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has said that he does not read the criticism of him when he is not playing well and also explained that Milan had a desire to show their strength against Sampdoria.
The French striker was the hero of the day at San Siro as he netted an incredible three times to help the Rossoneri to a 5-1 victory over Dejan Stankovic’s side.
The other goals for Milan came from Rafael Leao and Brahim Diaz, who both played superbly throughout the game.
Giroud spoke to various media outlets after the match, first speaking to Milan TV (via Milan News) about the team’s attitude coming into the Sampdoria game.
“I think people were expecting a disappointed Milan side, but we wanted to show our strength after a big disappointment. It’s more important to get back up, also because qualification for the next Champions League is the goal,” Giroud said.
Giroud has struggled for goals recently but he said that he does not pay attention when people criticise him as he already knows that he needs to improve.
“I don’t read criticism because I know when I have to do better. I haven’t scored a goal in a few weeks, but I was waiting for a game like that to show that I’m hungry, that I want to do everything for the team and to get Champions League,” he said.
Milan will be up against Juventus next in a huge game for the top four fight, on which Giroud said: “Same team spirit, we have to give everything to win these two games. The first is a final, it’s a direct clash.”
Girou also spoke to Sky Sport (via Milan News) after the match in Milan and he spoke generally about the performance: “We wanted to play a good game tonight to pick ourselves up after Tuesday, for all Milan fans. We started the game well, something we were struggling with in recent weeks. We gained a bit of confidence and were effective in front of goal.”
His tears after the derby: “I was disappointed. I’ll be 37 soon, but when I play football I’m like a child. I always want to win with this jersey, it means a lot to play here for me. I hope it’s not the last game here in the Champions League, let’s hope not. Now we do everything to qualify for the Champions League, this club and these fans deserve it.”
The match with Juventus: “Like a final, we don’t know what happens if Serie A takes points away. We are focused on our football and our games to win and then we hope.”
The emotions with AC Milan: “If you had told me I would experience these feelings, I might not have believed it. The goal was not to win the Scudetto in our first year but to qualify for the Champions League. We gained confidence during the season. This year it was a bit difficult in the league but in the Champions League we did well and made our fans happy. I hope that next year we will go and learn more with this young group that has so much quality.”
So he does not care what people are saying about him. No wonder he keeps flicking the ball without even looking and does not try to hold the ball up front.