Olivier Giroud is perhaps playing the last Ligue 1 matches of his career and he was also given a standing ovation when he entered the game by the crowd at Stade Rennais last weekend. The 2018 world champion only signed one season with Losc and an extension with the Dogues seems very improbable. After an already completely unsuccessful stint in MLS, the 39-year-old center forward is plunged into a particularly laborious season.
Author of five goals in Ligue 1 and four in the Europa League, Giroud is having difficulty keeping up with the pace of his team’s attacks. Failing to shake the nets, he almost never shines in his role as a leading pivot. His significant playing time has not helped him at all in recent weeks. Hamza Igamane’s serious injury forced Bruno Genesio to start the former Arsenal and Chelsea player numerous times.
Pavard like Giroud
After playing the entirety of the two matches in the round of 16 of the Europa League against Aston Villa (0-1, 2-0), last week and Thursday evening in Birmingham, Giroud returns to the Lille bench for the clash against OM, this Sunday afternoon at the Stade Vélodrome. Matias Fernandez-Pardo is again lined up up front, with Hakon Haraldsson at number 10 and Ngalayel Mukau and Felix Correira on the wings.
Giroud still has the opportunity to reunite with his friend Benjamin Pavard, with whom he won the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The defender is also a substitute for this meeting, Habib Beye preferring a central hinge Leonardo Balerdi-Facundo Medina and Timothy Weah on the right side. Pavard was not called up by Didier Deschamps for the two friendly matches of the Blues against Brazil and Colombia, on March 26 and 29, three points from the 2026 World Cup…
