Olivier Giroud acknowledges the visit to his old club Chelsea will be ‘a special game’ for him and Milan, as he has ‘a lot of hope’ for their Champions League progress.

It kicks off at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

The group is not exactly going according to predictions so far, as Milan are top on four points, Dinamo Zagreb have three, RB Salzburg two and Chelsea only one.

The Premier League giants sacked coach Thomas Tuchel after their opening 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, bringing in Graham Potter from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Giroud turned 36 last week, but is in the form of his life with five goals and an assist in 10 competitive matches, plus returning to the France squad.

“I think it’ll be a special game for the team because it’s a great Champions League match-up,” the France international told Milan Channel.

“It’s also personally for me, as I spent nine years in London playing for Arsenal and Chelsea, so I expect it to be a great game.”

The Rossoneri finished bottom of their Champions League group last season, but refocused that energy on the Serie A title.

“We had played very well against Liverpool last season, but without getting a result, so I hope to do better this time around.”

Giroud wore the Chelsea jersey from January 2018 to the summer of 2021, when he joined Milan for just €1m plus bonuses, and helped them win the Serie A title.

“It’s always a pleasure when the people you met while playing for your former clubs have so much respect for you, also because I want to be seen not only as a good player on the pitch, but also a good person off it.

“I have many friends in London. I have a lot of hope for our Champions League journey this season. I am very proud of this squad and I think we can do well with this group of players in the Champions League.

“This match can also give the team great confidence if we win, to boost us for the next games.”

A good result could also practically doom Chelsea’s hopes of recovering from the dismal start to their European adventure.

“Chelsea have just one point so far, so they will play aggressively and in an energetic way, aiming for the win, so we expect a tough game.”

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