Olivier Giroud believes that the game against Paris Saint-Germain will have a bit of extra meaning for AC Milan’s French players, while he complimented their attacking department.
Milan will make the journey to the French capital tomorrow afternoon in view of Wednesday night’s clash at the Parc des Princes. The Rossoneri are yet to win in Europe this season having drawn against Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United, both 0-0.
PSG meanwhile won their opener 2-0 against Dortmund but then lost 4-1 against Newcastle in their second game, making the group very competitive and compact, with 12 points available to play for.
Giroud spoke to Canal+ as part of the media duties during the week of the crucial Champions League match between Milan and PSG, with his comments translated below.
“It will be a special match for us French players at Milan. We return to Paris, aware of the expectations surrounding PSG in this Champions League,” he said.
“They have a very solid team, with many internationals, particularly French. It will be a good challenge, a good match. We want to play a great match and show that Milan can return to being a competitive team on the European scene.
“We were in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. We expect a very important match, but not it will be decisive for qualification. There are still many points available, but we want to demonstrate a lot.
“Our philosophy is to defend by moving forward. We do it at home. On the road, I don’t know if the coach will want us to wait a little longer, but we are well aware of their attacking strengths.
“The front three/four are truly very talented. We will have to be careful with everyone, but obviously Kylian in particular. I think we will defend more against him, that’s for sure.
“We have a young group but with guys who already have a certain maturity. We have the ability to put the teams in difficulty, the biggest European teams. We must all be 100%, ready even in our heads because if there are some absences, the collective suffers.”