A goal that brought AC Milan the semi-finals of the Champions League, a day later and a new contract. The reason is more than enough for the respectable L’Equipe to call the Rossoneri striker Olivier Giroud and collect from him the impressions of the fairytale-like 24 hours that the Frenchman went through. And not only about that, but about the almost two-year period that the experienced striker spent at San Siro, which, as he himself admits, is much better than he could have imagined it would be.Being among the Champions League top four is what the conversation started with. Having eliminated Napoli in the quarter-finals, Milan will face another Italian team in the semi-finals, town rivals Inter. And although upon his arrival at the club he could not have imagined that he would go this far with the Rossoneri, Giroud’s appetite has obviously grown.”It will be a ‘derbissimo’, the whole city of Milan will be on fire. An incredible match that guarantees the Italian team a place in the final. The city will experience something incredible and so will we. The only time I reached the semi-finals, I won the Champions League with Chelsea and we were also underdogs. We weren’t the favorites this time either, but we eliminated Napoli.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7198467##Giroud flirted with the epithet of a tragician in the opening phase of the rematch, since he first missed a penalty, then a massive goal opportunity. He admits that it disturbed him a little.”After the penalty I was a bit shaken. But I stayed focused, I knew I would have more chances. Meret stopped me on the second chance, but I didn’t miss the third one, as I took advantage of Leao’s run. When he has space, Leao is amazing, and I knew where to position myself to get the ball. I couldn’t make a mistake. I have to say that against Napoli I played on one leg, I had a big hamstring problem. Like the whole team, I sacrificed myself. There is a collective feeling in the team, and with this kind of spirit we can imagine anything.”In addition to Leao, Giroud used the opportunity to praise another teammate, fellow countryman Mike Mangian, who is also doing wonders at Milan’s goal line this season.”Milan is slowly getting back to where it belongs thanks to a good team. There is intensity and great solidity, which is our strength. From me to Mike (Maignan). He brings us calmness and confidence, that is very important. We are a solid team that has the future, but we have to improve every day. The team is young, even if I ‘heighten’ the age average a bit,” Giroud said playfully.##EDITORS_CHOICE##The Frenchman arrived at San Siro in the summer of 2021 for less than 3,000,000 euros. Not too much was expected of him, although he also did not expect to achieve this much with the Rossoneri in less than two years.”I didn’t expect to experience all this when I signed for Milan. I knew that an exciting challenge was waiting for me, but I didn’t expect that we would win the Scudetto and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. I couldn’t even dream of it,” Giroud said honestly.His contract expired at the end of the season, so on Thursday he extended it for another year, until the summer of 2024, with an identical salary of 3,500,000 euros.”An extension? It’s a reward for a good season and a half, almost two. I won the title, I quickly adapted to the team, I have the trust of the club and the fans received me wonderfully. We were all convinced that we should continue this adventure together. I need to do more big things,” Olivier concluded.🗣️ Olivier #Giroud to L’Equipe: “Have I had other temptations? After the World Cup, I could have asked myself many questions or wished for other things. But the idea was to remain competitive with AC Milan until June 2024.” pic.twitter.com/ULXVlBHC23— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) April 21, 2023 SERIE A – ROUND 31FridayVerona – Bologna 2-1 (1-0)/Verdi 45+6 pen, 62 – Dominguez 90+4/Saturday16:00: (3.20) Salernitana (3.50) Sassuolo (2.40)19:00: (1.98) Lazio (3.35) Torino (4.30)21:45: (2.85) Sampdoria (3.20) Spezia (2.81)Sunday13:30: (6.25) Empoli (4.10) Inter (1.58)16:00: (3.70) Monza (3.50) Fiorentina (2.19)16:00: (1.79) Udinese (3.60) Cremonese (4.90)19:00: (1.58) Milan (4.00) Lecce (7.75)21:45: (2.85) Juventus (3.20) Napoli (2.81)Monday21:45: (2.50) Atalanta (3.40) Roma (3.10)***odds are subject to change***
