Olivier Giroud comes out of the silence.
As part of a promotional tour in England for the translation of his autobiography ("Always believe it"), the 2018 world champion returned to our British colleagues from
The Athletic
on the failed Euro of the Blues, the surprise summons Karim Benzema or his absence during the success in the League of Nations last Sunday against Spain on the side of Milan ... his new home.
Read alsoWhy Karim Benzema is starting from afar in the Ballon d'Or race
“
To be honest it was a bit strange to see them play in my new stadium (San Siro), he
admits bitterly, he who has not been recalled by Didier Deschamps since the Euro, notably overtaken by Anthony Martial and Wissam Ben Yedder.
Emotionally, it was a bit special for me to watch them on TV.
To be quite frank, it was too early for me to go see the guys in the locker room, for example.
I have met some guys and I miss them, I miss the national team.
"
In the back of his mind, Olivier Giroud, transferred to AC Milan last summer, ticked the date of the next meeting, including the reception of Kazakhstan on November 13, which could be synonymous with qualification for the 2022 World Cup. for the Blues.
The ultimate challenge he sets himself with the national team at the top of his 35 years (110 selections, 46 goals) from a collective point of view remains to participate in the Qatari World Cup and on a personal level, he has never hidden his desire to overtake Thierry Henry, top scorer in the history of the Blues (51 goals).
Read alsoCouacs internally, difficult management of Mbappé and Deschamps who "loses ground": in the secret of the Blues at the Euro
During the interview given to the English press this Friday, the former goalscorer for Tours, Montpellier or Arsenal and Chelsea said a little more about the return of Karim Benzema to the France team just before the Euro.
And in his book, which he updated for the release in England, he writes in particular this on the subject: "I said to myself:" if Karim comes back, you are toast ", adding that the return Real Madrid's late striker “
created a tactical imbalance in our game. It wasn't his fault, but it was painfully obvious.
We have lost our collective strength.
This sudden imbalance disturbed the team
”.
To read also "It was not a problem": Giroud deplores the role of the media following his remarks towards Mbappé
Asked about this sequence, Olivier Giroud developed the basis of his thought. “
It's true that, tactically, we changed from the World Cup, and it was not easy to adapt because we did not play the same way. We would have needed time to progress with him before the Euro. I also think that it has been seen in the League of Nations, the team has improved and things are going well for France.
"And Giroud to wring his neck out of a conflictual relationship with Benzema:"
Between him and me, there was never a problem.
I must be clear on this.
I never had a problem with him.
I spent time in the national team with him before 2015. We played the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2012 together. I like playing with him on the pitch.
I am happy for them and I also know how difficult it was for Karim when he was not in the national team.
So I am also happy that he succeeds in the France team.
I have no resentment about it.
But it is true that at the Euro, we could and should have done better.
"
