Olivier Giroud explains why he was ‘not worried’ by Milan’s difficult start to the Champions League and why beating PSG 2-1 at San Siro was ‘the perfect night.’
The pressure was on for the Rossoneri after a dismal start to this season, including two points and zero goals in three Champions League games, not to mention back-to-back 1-0 Serie A home defeats to Juventus and Udinese.
It seemed to be another nightmare evening when Milan Skriniar was left unmarked to nod in at the far post on a corner, but Rafael Leao equalised with an extraordinary bicycle-kick, then Giroud soared into the sky to meet the Theo Hernandez cross.
“We are not happy when we don’t win, so a goal was good, but we had to get the victory,” Giroud told Mediaset and Sky Sport Italia.
“We wanted to react after recent setbacks and this was the perfect night. We created many chances, were more effective and that is what makes the difference. We all did what the coach asked and avoided certain mistakes.
“It is wonderful to still experience moments like this at the age of 37.”
Borussia Dortmund are now top of the group on seven points, followed by PSG on six, Milan five and Newcastle United four.
“We should’ve won at least one or two before this in the Champions League, so I was not too worried, because I knew we created the chances and just had to be a bit more precise in the final pass and the finish.
“We know that the Champions League is special for Milan and we wanted to give our all for the fans, who sang from start to finish. I am proud of this team.”
Milan were beaten 3-0 at Parc des Princes a couple of weeks ago, so it already feels like a remarkable turnaround from that performance.
“The key was to be efficient in both boxes, but also our tactical positions, all of us making the effort to help out our teammates. We had to give 110 per cent of our capabilities and we did that this evening. We are very happy.”
It has been pointed out that Giroud scored with a towering header on the day of former Milan striker Mark Hateley’s birthday.