It was a coup for AC Milan to sign Olivier Giroud, the 2018 World Cup winner, last year. After nine years of life in London, the big striker was keen to test himself in Italy, the country his grandmother was born. But he didn’t come to the city of Milan for sightseeing – he’s here to win.A lot of pressure on Inter, none on JuventusGiroud is the king of unexpected titles. Earlier in his career, he was one of the key players of the Montpellier team that won the title in France ahead of PSG, Monaco, Marseille and Lyon. In the meantime, he won the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea when few expected it. Ten years after his only league title, he could secure the second. Winning the Scudetto with Milan — in the season where club directors had set a modest seasonal goal of finishing in the top four — would be quite an achievement. “There was a lot to do to get where we are! I didn’t expect we’d be challenging for the title this season because the main objective was to qualify for the Champions League. But this is Milan, it’s such a big club. You string a few good results, and suddenly, you’re aiming high. In my head, winning Serie A is definitely our goal.”Giroud with his only league title so far – Montpellier in 2012 (©AFP)Speaking to L’Equipe, Giroud praised Milan’s head coach Stefano Pioli and the legendary Paolo Maldini, who is always there to watch the team train and help with his wealth of experience and knowledge.”I didn’t know Pioli very well before I joined Milan, but ever since our first phone call, it was clear that we’ll work well together. He makes the team work great tactically and is the kind of coach who can get the best out of his players. When he speaks, it comes from the heart. Everything he says, he says with sincerity. And Maldini? The man is a natural leader. He was sorely missed in the years when Juventus were winning all those titles. Maldini is an institutuon!”🇫🇷 2005 : Grenoble 🇫🇷 2007 : Istres🇫🇷 2008 : Tours🇫🇷 2010 : Montpellier🏴 2012 : Arsenal🏴 2018 : Chelsea🇮🇹 2021 : MilanLe parcours d’Olivier Giroud a été fait dans l’ordre, et force le respect ! 👏 pic.twitter.com/lH2qM02NA3— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) July 17, 2021 The Rossoneri are in the driving seat and will be champions of Italy if they win their remaining three matches. The first of those will be the trip to “Fatal Verona” on Sunday. It’s time for Giroud and his teammates to prove that they are made out of winning material.SERIE A – ROUND 36Friday19:45: (1.15) Inter (8.50) Empoli (15.0)22:00: (3.90) Genoa (3.40) Juventus (1.98)Saturday16:00: (3.50) Torino (3.45) Napoli (2.10)19:00: (2.40) Sassuolo (3.45) Udinese (2.90)21:45: (1.45) Lazio (4.40) Sampdoria (7.25)Sunday13:30: (6.25) Spezia (4.40) Atalanta (1.50)16:00: (2.95) Venezia (3.30) Bologna (2.45)19:00: (2.45) Salernitana (3.25) Cagliari (2.95)21:45: (4.90) Verona (3.60) Milan (1.75)Monday21:45: (2.50) Fiorentina (3.35) Roma (3.05)***odds are subject to change
