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<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nAC Milan’s French forward #09 Olivier Giroud greets the fans as he leaves the pitch after a substitution during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Salernitana at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on May 25, 2024. scor (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO \/ AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Olivier Giroud has sent a heartfelt message to AC Milan, expressing his longing for the club where he spent three of the happiest years of his career and wishing them well in their bid to return to the Champions League this season.<\/p>\n
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content \u2013 Free Trial \u2013 Click Here<\/span><\/p>\n The veteran forward, who is currently enjoying a productive spell at Lille with 11 goals to his name this season, spoke to Sky Sport Italia in a warm and nostalgic interview that touched on his love for the club, his most cherished memories and the ongoing struggles of the strikers who have followed in his footsteps.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I hear the word Milan, I think of the passion for football, San Siro, the Scudetto, the love of the fans when I was on the pitch,\u201d Giroud said. \u201cI have a lot of nostalgia for Milan, I miss this club where I spent three fantastic years. I hope the club returns to the Champions League next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether Milan ranks alongside Arsenal as the club closest to his heart, given he supported both as a boy, Giroud was careful but deeply affectionate.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very grateful to have played for the teams I supported as a child,\u201d he said. \u201cMilan is one of them, and when I arrived there I understood that it is one of those \u2018different\u2019 clubs, with a special history. I was very, very lucky, grateful and proud to have played for Milan.\u201d<\/p>\n The interview took a pointed turn when the subject of Milan\u2019s ongoing struggles to find a reliable number nine was raised, with Fullkrug, Gimenez and Nkunku combining for fewer goals than Giroud managed alone in some of his seasons.<\/p>\n The Frenchman\u2019s response was diplomatic but revealing. \u201cWhat can I say? This is perhaps a season in which there is a lot of pressure on the number nines. It is not easy for them to score many goals, but I think it is fundamental to have a team behind you that makes the difference. A striker cannot do everything alone.\u201d<\/p>\n He was equally firm in deflecting blame away from individual attackers. \u201cIt would be too easy to blame them. When the number nine does not score, it is always \u2018your fault.\u2019 I do not like that. Even when I was scoring, I always thanked the team and my teammates who helped me.\u201d<\/p>\n On his most cherished Milan memories, Giroud pointed immediately to his brace against Inter, which spawned the beloved terrace chant \u201cSi \u00e8 girato Giroud.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is where the chant was born,\u201d he said with evident pride. He also singled out a late winner against Spezia at San Siro, the one where he famously removed his shirt in celebration, as perhaps his most beautiful goal in a red and black shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cThe other day I watched all my goals at Milan and I got a little emotional,\u201d he admitted. \u201cMy years at Milan are part of my story and of the club\u2019s story. I just want to say that Milan will always be here,\u201d he added, placing a hand over his heart.<\/p>\n
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Giroud eases pressure on struggling Milan forwards<\/h2>\n