Olivier Giroud

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28 Mar 2024

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud's transfer to AC Milan proved to be a pivotal move for both the player and the club during the 2021-2022 season. Giroud made an immediate impact upon joining AC Milan, scoring a brace in his first appearance against Cagliari after making his debut against Sampdoria. However, he faced challenges in the early months of the season due to the effects of COVID-19 and various injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Giroud demonstrated his importance to the team with crucial goals in pivotal moments. He played a decisive role in Milan's comeback win against Hellas Verona, scoring the opener when his team was trailing 2-0. Giroud also scored the winning goal in Milan's victory over Torino.

As the season progressed, Giroud's influence only grew stronger. He showcased his scoring prowess with important goals against Roma, Inter Milan, and Lazio in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Notably, his brace in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter made him the first French player to score a brace or more in Serie A against Inter.
Despite suffering from a deep cut in his left shin, Giroud continued to deliver for Milan, scoring crucial goals to help his team climb to the top of the Serie A table. His contributions were instrumental in Milan's title charge, culminating in a historic Serie A title win, the club's first in eleven years.

Giroud's impressive debut season in Serie A saw him become the oldest player to reach double figures for goals in his debut season at the age of 35 years and 234 days. Additionally, he joined the elite company of Jean-Pierre Papin and Jérémy Ménez as the third French player in AC Milan's history to reach double figures in a single season.
Overall, Giroud's impact both on and off the pitch played a significant role in AC Milan's success, cementing his status as a key figure in the club's resurgence.
Olivier Giroud continued to showcase his scoring prowess and importance to AC Milan during the 2022-2023 season, contributing significantly to the team's successes in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.

Giroud started the season strongly, scoring his 300th senior career goal with a volley against Bologna in a 2–0 win. He followed this up with another impactful performance against Inter Milan, scoring and assisting a goal in a thrilling 3–2 victory. His knack for scoring crucial goals was evident once again when he netted the winner against Sampdoria in a 2–1 away win.
In the Champions League, Giroud opened his account for Milan by converting a penalty in a 3–1 away win over Dinamo Zagreb. He further showcased his ability in Europe by scoring a brace and providing two assists in a dominant 4–0 victory against Red Bull Salzburg, which secured Milan's qualification to the round of sixteen.

As the season progressed, Giroud continued to deliver key goals for Milan. His near-post header against Torino ended the team's seven-match winless run in all competitions, providing a much-needed victory. He played a pivotal role in Milan's historic 4–0 away win against league leaders Napoli, contributing to one of Napoli's biggest defeats in recent history.
Giroud's influence extended to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, where he scored the crucial goal in a 1–1 away draw against Napoli, securing Milan's progress to the semi-final for the first time since the 2006–07 season. Although Milan were eventually knocked out by arch-rivals Inter in the semi-finals, Giroud's contributions throughout the tournament were invaluable.

In Serie A, Giroud enjoyed a standout moment by scoring his first hat-trick in the league during a commanding 5–1 home win against Sampdoria. His goal-scoring exploits continued as he scored the winner against Juventus, securing Milan's qualification for the next season's Champions League.
Overall, Giroud's performances during the 2022-2023 season reaffirmed his status as a prolific goal-scorer and a vital asset to AC Milan, playing a significant role in their achievements both domestically and in Europe.

Olivier Giroud's journey to the senior national team began with a notable absence from the youth ranks, as he did not earn any caps with the French national youth teams. However, his talent did not go unnoticed, and in 2001, he received his first recognition when he was called up to the under-16 team for a training camp at the prestigious Clairefontaine academy. Despite being alongside notable players like Yoann Gourcuff, Yohan Cabaye, and Sylvain Marveaux, Giroud did not receive further call-ups during the 2001–02 under-16 campaign.
It wasn't until 3 November 2011 that Giroud's dream of representing his country at the senior level came true. National team coach Laurent Blanc rewarded Giroud for his outstanding performances with Montpellier by including him in the squad for friendly matches against the United States and Belgium. Giroud described this call-up as a childhood dream come true and expressed his immense satisfaction and privilege in representing the national team. He made his international debut as a substitute in the match against the United States, which France won 1–0. In the subsequent match against Belgium, Giroud earned another cap as a substitute in a goalless draw.

Giroud marked his presence in the national team by scoring his first career international goal in a friendly victory over Germany on 29 February 2012. His impressive performances earned him a spot in the squad for UEFA Euro 2012, where he continued to showcase his talent. Just two days before the announcement of the final squad, Giroud played a crucial role, assisting on two goals in France's 3–2 friendly comeback win over Iceland, solidifying his place in the team for the tournament.
Olivier Giroud's impact on the international stage began to grow, particularly highlighted by significant moments during FIFA World Cup qualifiers and tournaments.

One such moment occurred on 16 October 2012, during a crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain. Coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute, Giroud made an immediate impact by scoring a late equalizer for France in a 1–1 draw against the reigning world champions. His headed goal, from a Franck Ribéry cross in the fourth minute of injury time, salvaged a vital point for his team.
Giroud's contributions for both club and country did not go unnoticed, earning him a call-up for France's match against Italy on 14 November. Although he didn't find the net in that game, his presence on the field contributed to France's comeback from behind to secure a 2–1 victory.

Continuing his journey with the national team, Giroud showcased his scoring prowess in international friendlies as well. Notably, on 11 October 2013, he scored twice and was named man of the match in a dominant 6–0 win over Australia.
His consistent performances led to his inclusion in Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Giroud made appearances as a substitute in the opening match against Honduras before earning a spot in the starting lineup for France's second group fixture against Switzerland. He made a memorable impact by scoring the opening goal of the match in the 17th minute, marking his first FIFA World Cup goal and the 100th in the history of the French national team at the tournament. France went on to win the match 5–2, securing qualification for the knockout stage of the tournament.