AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has stated that he is ‘proud’ of what the team have been able to achieve and is ‘very excited’ ahead of the derby meeting with Inter.
It will be a monumental occasion for Italian football over the next week as Milan and Inter meet for two legs of Champions League semi-final football, marking the first Euroderby since the 2004-05 season and the first in the final four since two years prior to that.
The French forward has already scored important goals against Inter such as his brace during the Scudetto-winning campaign and the one he netted earlier in the current season in the 3-2 win.
Giroud spoke alongside Stefano Pioli during the pre-match press conference on the eve of the first leg at San Siro, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Do you feel anything similar to the London derby?
“It’s a derby, it’s certainly a special, different match. I like playing in the derby and in big matches, I’m proud of this Milan team. I hope to do great things tomorrow, I’m very excited.”
You are the most experienced player. What do you tell your team-mates?
“We all need each of us to be at our best. We know that we can do great things and play great matches with our quality and our characteristics. We must all be 110% charged. I try to always be positive and encourage my team-mates.”
On the other side is Lautaro. Is it a rematch of the World Cup?
“And also the Super Cup (laughs). It’s not a personal thing, we are 11 and more players with the bench all united. It’s not Giroud versus Lautaro, let’s leave the past behind, but it’s an extra motivation.”
How nice would it be to win with Milan after Chelsea?
“We’re talking about a special club. Last year I couldn’t ask for more than winning the Scudetto. I’m very proud of what we’re doing with this team, with the coach and his staff. It would be deserved, for the commitment we put in. I would be very proud to reach the final. It would be fantastic and I think the fans deserve it.”
We are paying close attention to this match and the duel with Lautaro. Do these thoughts limit your concentration?
“Nothing limits my concentration. I’m focused on the things I have to do on the pitch, with my team-mates.”
How motivating was Maldini’s visit to training?
“He’s here every day. He always supports us, he follows us in training every day at Milanello. It’s something that really surprised me when I arrived, I didn’t expect it, but Massara and Maldini are always here to support us, to talk to us. They’re really always there, from this point of view it’s a normal pre-match.”
Did you imagine how things would go when you left the Premier League?
“Well, the recent times at Chelsea have been difficult, I needed a new challenge and the first year couldn’t have gone better. Playing in a Champions League semi-final is fantastic this season. You can always improve, but things are going really well. I’m not that young anymore, but I still really want to win a trophy and I hope we’ll do it.”
