Giroud excited to return to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea vs Milan
The Rossoneri striker has admitted that he is excited to be reuniting with the Blues, his former club, in the Champions League.
Olivier Giroud
, the Milan striker, is confident that the clash against Chelsea in the Champions League will be a “special game”. The striker goes back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving them as a free agent when the 2020-21 season reached its end. The 36-year-old player for the Premier League side for three-and-a-half years, meeting the back of the net 39 times in 119 matches across all competitions. He is delighted to be going back to the English capital, where he netter 105 goals in 253 games for Arsenal from 2012 to 2018.
"I think it'll be a special game for the team because it's a great Champions League match-up," the France international told Milan Channel.
"It's also personally for me, as I spent nine years in London playing for Arsenal and Chelsea, so I expect it to be a great game.
"It's always a pleasure when the people you met while playing for your former clubs have so much respect for you, also because I want to be seen not only as a good player on the pitch, but also a good person off it.
"I have many friends in London. Chelsea have just one point so far, so they will play aggressively and in an energetic way, aiming for the win, so we expect a tough game.
"I have a lot of hope for our Champions League journey this season. I am very proud of this squad and I think we can do well with this group of players in the Champions League.
"This match can also give the team great confidence if we win, to boost us for the next games."
In their first two games, Milan have earned four points and should they vanquish Chelsea, they will sit top of Group E, while Chelsea are eager to win their first game under the reign of the newly appointed manager, Graham Potter.
Stefano Pioli, on the other hand, has urged Milan to be on their best form as they want to launch a title challenge.
"Chelsea won the Champions League a short time ago. From there, it has strengthened again, and the level is very high,"
he said.
"But we want to try to be there, at that level.
"Chelsea changed coach, and so we’ll face a highly motivated team. Very simply, either we dominate the game, or the other team will dominate us.
"We want to take control of the match, knowing full well we are up against an opponent with great quality, who have a rapid attacking unit with good technique, so we have to be solid and focused in defence.
"What matters though is that we play with our spirit and try to attack, to be dangerous, because that’s what we can do and what we want to do.”
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