Olivier Giroud started the season with Lille in the best way. The French striker, already decisive several times, asserts himself as a centerpiece of the northern collective and shows that he remains a formidable scorer in Ligue 1.
Beyond his performances, Giroud continues to benefit from immense respect in the field, even on the part of the greatest defenders in the world. In an interview with Square mediahe commented on the words of Virgil Van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, who had described him as attacker the most difficult to defend for him: “With Virgil, we made good clubs in club and selection. And it is not to tell me about it … but often I managed to get rid of its marking or to pass in front, or to win a duel. »»
He insists on the mutual respect he has with Van Dijk: “He put me in my back as well but always with respect. »» Giroud does not hide that Van Dijk is one of the most complete defenders he faced: “I say in my turn that he is the hardest defender against whom I played. For me he is a really complete defender. »»
C1 reunion?
And if he admits having faced other great defense figures in world football, Giroud underlines the particular character of Dutch:
“There are others like Ramos, Pepe, Thiago Silva, but in his style, Van Dijk, it was a real duel. »»
The former Montpellier and Arsenal player remains a respected and feared attacker worldwide, capable of inspiring respect for the older ones. In the Europa League, and perhaps in C1 if the LOSC ends up on the podium in Ligue 1 and that it remains in the North, it will again have the opportunity to rub shoulders with them. Perhaps he will also find Van Dijk on this occasion next season …
