“Always believe”. Regarding Olivier Giroud, it would surely suffice to stick to the title of his autobiography, published recently, to explain the strength of character he represents. Led by two goals at San Siro this Saturday night against Hellas Verona after goals from Caprari and Barak on penalty, the Lombard club thus regained hope thanks to the French international striker (110 caps, 46 goals). The following ? A completely crazy end of the match by the equalization of Kessié from the penalty spot (76th) and a goal against his camp by Günter (78th) to allow the Rossoneri to temporarily dislodge Naples – which receives Torino this Sunday – from first place. However, during this match, and like his teammates, Giroud had initially donned the habit of ” ghost “, summarizes the Gazzetta dello Sport. But the former Chelsea striker appeared at the right time to surprise his defender on a cross from Rafael Leao (1-2, 56th) and therefore put on, once again, the costume of the benefactor. Pure Giroud, on the corn … on the action … and in the context.

Not called during the last two meetings with the Blues, a first since October 2016, Olivier Giroud is indeed going through a difficult period. Proof of this is this erratic month of September marked by a positive Covid-19 test, quarantine, back problems and disappointing services where the former Montpellier has finally, again, found the necessary resources to bounce back, thus guiding AC Milan towards this spectacular turnaround. A saving breath for a player morally touched by this absence in the France team: “I was obviously disappointed not to be there (note: League of Nations). Didier Deschamps decided not to call me and I must respect this choice. ” Because despite his three goals in Serie A, Giroud has only played four games in eight days (307 minutes) since the start of the season. Insufficient playing time to convince Didier Deschamps to recall it, which is more in the light of the thunderous performances of Karim Benzema (9 goals and 7 assists in 8 La Liga days), candidate for the Ballon d’Or 2021, brilliant in Nations League and direct competitor of the Milanese for the position of striker in the tricolor jersey.

Olivier Giroud hit but not sank

A reversal of the situation for Olivier Giroud who intervenes, moreover, after several years spent at the top of the hierarchy of numbers 9 of the selection, not without difficulty: “My relationship with Karim was certainly ‘unique’. I had to face criticism because I was in his shoes. There were some who were for me and others for him. They used to whistle at me. Against Cameroon (friendly match in Nantes on May 30, 2016), I scored, but they continued to whistle at me. They were against me because I was there and not him. It was an injustice, but I had to live with it. It motivated me. ” Because, heckled or blamed, and this, as efficient as he is, Olivier Giroud will nonetheless remain the symbol of this conquering footballer, ready to do battle but above all obliged to constantly reaffirm his legitimacy, especially in the tricolor jersey. True force of nature when it comes to overturning mountains, like her new performance last night, the native of Chambéry had yet to endure a flood of criticism, especially during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Indeed, while Benzema sublimated with the Casa Blanca, Giroud certainly won the World Cup, but without having scored a single but.

A situation fully assumed by the one who just celebrated his 35th birthday on September 30: “I accept today that this is the way that allowed me to become world champion. If you tell me that I could have scored six goals in Russia, but without winning the competition, I will tell you that I will choose to win the title, of course. You can fight against the things that are said about you, but the most important thing is to be aware of how lucky you are to be on this (France) team. I understand that when you are a goalscorer people judge you by your stats. That’s why I try to break the record for “Titi” (Henry), but sometimes things don’t go your way. But I did not give up ”, he declared, moreover, at the beginning of the week, on the occasion of the media promotion of his autobiography. Surprising not to say confusing, the strength of character shown by Olivier Giroud throughout his career sometimes approaches indecency and although recently plagued by doubts, so count on him to wear it, until the end. in the arena of world football, this awesome competitor armor.