“It is his merit. He has the physique that allows him, the lifestyle, the mind. He has this desire to stay at the top level. He did it last year, there he is off to a very good start. A few years ago, 35 years was the limit. Today, there are quite a few who are close to 40 years old. It is also the fact of having fewer injuries, everything has improved, the preparation on the medical level. But with that, you need the mind, the state of mind. Olivier has it and it’s a very good thing.. Here is what Didier Deschamps said, before challenging Ireland, about the longevity of a certain Olivier Giroud. Praise finally leading to a disaster scenario for the top scorer in the history of the Blues (54 achievements).
A weakened ankle at the end of last season…
Hit in the ankle in the first moments of the game after contact with John Egan, the tricolor striker finally gave way to Marcus Thuram before the half-hour mark (26th). Supported by the healers of the France team, the center-forward of AC Milan – grimacing on the bench – then attended the convincing victory of the Blues against Ireland (2- 0). Present in the mixed zone a few minutes after the final whistle, the former Montpellier HSC player wanted to be reassuring despite everything. “I don’t think it’s too serious, I’m going to do some exams, I’m already limping a lot less so that’s good”indicated, as such, the person concerned before saying more about the nature of this injury.
“It’s a shock on the astragalus (ankle bone, editor’s note), I made a bad move which unfortunately prevented me from continuing the match. I did everything to continue but on the changes of direction, I saw that it was too difficult. I preferred to stop but as I speak to you, it’s rather reassuring. It’s all alone, as I told your colleague from the Gazzetta, I had suffered a blow in the Champions League at the end of last season and I have a weakness at this level so we will work on it . It’s a bit of bad luck, I may have to strap my ankle now to strengthen it, it’s a bit unlikely because in recent weeks I hadn’t felt anything. The ankle said stop but I am rather reassured about my post-match feelings..
An overloaded calendar for AC Milan…
A positive message which does not, however, chase away all the uncertainties surrounding the state of health of the 36-year-old Frenchman. Often praised for his longevity and his ability to repeat efforts despite his advanced age, Olivier Giroud sees his momentum cut short and, it seems, overtaken by a long-standing physical glitch. Impressive since the start of the season with 4 goals and 1 assist in 3 Serie A matches, the native of Chambéry will now have to take his troubles patiently before taking exams and knowing more about the seriousness of his injury. One thing is certain, this tile comes at the worst of times for anyone who sees his contract running until June 2024 on the side of AC Milan. Most certainly package for the trip of the Blues in Germany, this Tuesday, the left-hander of 1m92 will, in fact, have to cross his fingers to hope to make his return as soon as possible. And for good reason.
If his absence remains “anecdotal” for the Blues, more than ever on the way to qualifying for Euro 2024 (9 points ahead of the Netherlands, second in group B), bad news during the exams could, on the other hand, cost the Rossoneri dearly. With a shock against Inter Milan, on September 16, before hosting Newcastle, three days later, for the first day of the group stage of the Champions League, the Italian formation would be amputated from one of its star players. One thing is certain, this injury is enough to shake the Milanese who are also preparing to play a long-awaited double confrontation against Paris Saint-Germain (October 25, November 7). For his part, Olivier Giroud will have to show (once again) resilience to get up and thus resume his frenetic pace. For this, it will then be necessary “the mind, the state of mind but Olivier has it and it’s a very good thing”recalled Didier Deschamps.
