Olivier Giroud granted an interview to the microphones of UEFA as he was asked about different topics. Here are his words:
On his current moment:
"The goal is to make the most of the minutes on the field. Thanks to a healthy lifestyle and the fact that I rarely get injured, I still have good results and feel physically great: why shouldn't I continue? I love football and I know how much I will miss it when I hang up my boots. Ask Zlatan Ibrahimović what he thinks. For him, it's the same: he loves football and pushes himself to the max. Staying on top even when your body slows down is a matter of passion, mental strength, professionalism, and determination."
On his role in the locker room:
"For my teammates, I am like an older brother: I give advice if they need it, I am available and always try to have a positive attitude. Talking to the younger players and encouraging them is important. It's a role I like, it gives me happiness day after day", declared Giroud.
On the decisive goal in the quarterfinals against Napoli:
"After missing the penalty, I knew I had to stay focused because I was sure I would have another great opportunity; a bit like against England in the World Cup, when I scored right after missing one. It's a matter of resilience and perseverance, you always have to believe you will have a chance. For a striker, it's important to maintain confidence even after missing a penalty."
On the semifinal against Inter, Giroud said:
"San Siro is a special place, especially when it comes to the derby. Then there is the prestige of the Champions League and the fact that there will certainly be a Milanese team in the final. In Serie A, I scored three goals in three games against Inter and I also made one or two assists, so the statistics are good. But I also remember the defeat in the Supercoppa, they dominated clearly. It stuck in my head, so we'll have to play our best."
On joining AC Milan:
"Signing with Milan was an opportunity to face a new challenge. At Chelsea, in the end, I wasn't playing much. I could have left earlier and signed with Inter in the winter transfer window of 2020, but God wanted me to choose Milan. I am very happy. If they had told me that in the first year we would win the Scudetto after 10 years and that in the second year we would return to the Champions League semifinals after 16 years, it would have seemed unrealistic to me."
On his childhood idol:
"I followed Milan when I was a teenager, in the late 90s. One player in particular who made me love this team is Andriy Shevchenko. I tried to imitate him in training, even in the way he ran and in his elegance. He was one of the greatest strikers, very complete; he could score with his right foot, his left foot, and his head, and he was also fast."
