Live Bar, March 23 , Olivier Giroud was interviewed by the Team Newspaper, talking about the feelings of being re-selected for the national team, his status at AC Milan, and his relationship with the national team coach and teammates.
How it feels to return to France
Giroud: "Like anything that's possible, you just have to believe in it and keep working on it. I am delighted to be back in Klefontaine and my pride and determination to play for France has not changed. ”
Honestly, have you really always believed in this?
Olivier Giroud: "I've never closed the door to the national team or announced my retirement from the national team, so that means I continue to choose to believe it. Especially when you're wearing the AC Milan shirt and you're still competitive, scoring for the club and staying ahead of the Serie A table, the coach knows what the criteria for a champion are. ”
After all, a lot of things happened after the European Championship, and what fun is this return
Giroud: "I left everything behind. I see this return as a gift and a reward for my career. I know that if I do well in Milan, the national team door will remain open to me and that's what comes to mind. Of course it's not an obsession, this return comes from my excellent work and performance in Milan. ”
Is AC Milan the best club of your career?
Olivier Giroud: "I always have the opportunity to make the right choice and there's no denying that AC Milan is one of the best decisions. ”
Have you been in touch with Deschamps since the European Championships?
Olivier Giroud: "On September 30 the coach sent me a birthday message, I think it was the day before he went to the Europa League Final Four, and we talked to each other. After that there was nothing until I received contact again last Saturday. ”
How does this happen?
Giroud: "I was pleasantly surprised that he left me a message before we played Cagliari and asked me to call him back before I rested. ”
After the report, do you have time for a one-on-one conversation with him?
Olivier Giroud: "We were scheduled to have a discussion on Monday night, but we celebrated Griezmann's birthday and we were happy to see each other again, it felt good and the coach felt the atmosphere. ”
Do you mind making things clear with this conversation? (Talking to Deschamps)
Olivier Giroud: "We haven't talked in person since the European Championships. Although we have digested a lot of things, it is still necessary to have a conversation between adults responsibly. I accepted certain things, I always went forward, the coach knew my mentality, and when I played for France, I was always full of energy, ready at all times, always giving 200% effort. I always tell myself that through hard work, self-sacrifice and perseverance, there will be better days. I'm excited to be able to discuss this with the coach and I'll listen to what he wants to say to me. ”
Deschamps said at the first press conference on the matchday that it is difficult for a player of your level to make changes after playing for France for many years. Is that what you think too?
Giroud: "At any given time, the state is constantly changing and you need to constantly adapt. France keeps moving forward according to different situations and today I think my maturity and experience can help the team, the coach also knows that I have a lot of motivation after returning to the team, no matter what role is given to me, he can count on me. I needed the coach to tell me what he expected from me. ”
Are you ready to play for France for a long time?
Giroud: "We'll see how the conversation goes (with Deschamps) and what happens in the future." But for now, I'll just focus on the two friendly matches at the moment. But I will always be there and can choose for the national team. There's a second World Cup title to fight for, and as long as I stay competitive at AC Milan and as I said before, anything is possible, let's see what happens. ”
But we always have the feeling that as long as Benzema is selected, you will not be called up
Giroud: "That's why we need to talk to the coach, communication will make everything easier. I need the coach to tell me what he wants from me, and that's the most important thing. Of course, the coach also knows that I always want to do my part for the national team. ”
Whether there is a Benzema or not, whether there is Mbappe or not, whatever formation?
Olivier Giroud: "I'm ready to be with all the players in all formations, we're all great professionals. I was like a chameleon, constantly adapting to myself. It is important to maintain the best mental state. The French team is still a collective, with extraordinary team cohesion. The French team worked well with me and they did a good job without me. I believe that no matter what the tactical preparation is or who the players are, the French team has a lot of potential to achieve great ambitions. ”
In the next two friendly matches, there is still a chance to break Henry's national team goal record
Giroud: "As a contender, it's a goal like a second World Cup title. These records and possibilities remain my goal, to enrich my honor. ”
Now Mike Mineon and Theo Hernandez are in the French national team and AC Milan have three players
Olivier Giroud: "AC Milan has never had so many people in France, which shows that the great Milan are back now and we have to end the season with a title. It's a really good hint and it's a good bonus to have three Milan players selected for France. ”
（timber）