Milan striker Olivier Giroud admits he wants to play more regularly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and reveals which teammates surprised him the most.
The former Chelsea forward has scored four goals in seven appearances across all competitions this season.
On Sunday, his Milan side faces Inter in the derby della Madonnina, but Giroud believes meeting with their city rivals is not decisive.
“We could push Inter ten points behind us, which wouldn’t be bad, even if many games are remaining before the end of the season,” Giroud told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It’s an important game, but not decisive yet. The opponents are really strong, but if we play as we know, we can win.
“We need to have self-confidence and respect the opponent, which doesn’t mean being intimidated.”
Either he or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will start up front, but the French striker hopes he can play more regularly with the Swede in the future.
“We can do it, at least in certain games. Pioli is making different choices for now, but I hope I can play more regularly with Ibra in the future.
“He is a nice person, accommodating inside the dressing room and a great professional. From the outside, he could seem focused on himself, but it’s not like this with those working with him every day.”
Who is the Inter player Giroud fears the most?
“Lautaro is dangerous, but Inter have plenty of important players. However, destiny is in our hands, if we do what we know, we can win.”
The Rossoneri are the Serie A table leaders along with Napoli. They’ve won ten of their 11 opening Serie A games and drew one. Does Giroud believe Milan can win the title?
“Why should I? We are playing really well in Serie A, we have good chances. We are developing quickly. I knew Leao, but his talent is impressive. I didn’t know Tonali, who has impressed me too and there are guys like Gabbia and Daniel Maldini who will develop quickly.”
However, the Rossoneri have only collected one point in four Champions League games.
“We have the qualities to do well,” insisted Giroud.
“This team has been projected really well and I want to win a lot here, there was an incredible atmosphere before the game with Porto, it was the trailer of the derby.”
Giroud was in talks with Inter in 2020, but he eventually remained at Chelsea until last summer when he joined the Rossoneri in a €1m deal.
“Milan was the best choice for me, my family and I are really happy in Milan,” he said.
“People are nice and with a passion for football. Being a father of four, I don’t have much free time, but relatives and friends come to visit us very often because Grenoble is close. We visited the Duomo and the Lake of Como on a nice boat tour.
“Italian cuisine is great, but being French I must admit that ours’ os the best one. The pasta al dente with tomatoes made by our chef is amazing and so are risotto and pizza.”
Il derby di Giroud: "Prima l'Inter, poi lo scudetto. E festeggio col tiramisù" https://t.co/cYZQ1Vc6GT
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) November 4, 2021
French cuisine over italian…please…give your head a shake Giroud.
Italian cuisine is far better Olivier…. french cuisine is over rated from 100 years ago. Heck, even peruvian or mexican cuisine are far better than french