Olivier Giroud told his teammates during a walkabout at Stamford Bridge of his pride in returning to his former stomping ground. Giroud helped Chelsea win the Champions League and Europa League during his stint with the west London club.
It has not been a rosy start to the season for Chelsea. The Blues have struggled both domestically and in the Champions League. Their poor start to the season led to the new owners sacking the German tactician Thomas Tuchel. The German saw his position taken by former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter.
Chelsea are still trying to get their wits about them as Graham Potter won his first Premier League game with the club. It was a hard-fought 2-1 win for the Blues over Crystal Palace, but one that does their confidence plenty of good. The Blues now return to the Champions League for a crunch fixture with AC Milan.
Chelsea are yet to win a game in the Champions League this term. A loss away to Dinamo Zagreb (which sounded the death knell for Tuchel) and a draw at home to RB Salzburg means they are bottom of the table. They host AC Milan in a game that sees the return of their former striker Olivier Giroud.
Olivier Giroud: Proud to return to Stamford Bridge
The Champions League tie between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge is a clash of former friends, with Olivier Giroud returning to his former stomping ground. Chelsea have only one point from two games and will host table leaders AC Milan for the chance to go joint top.
Olivier Giroud has told his AC Milan colleagues that he is proud to be back at Stamford Bridge in the colours of the Rossoneri. During a walkabout at Stamford Bridge, Giroud stopped midway to tell his teammates how buoyant he felt back in West London. It is the first time the Frenchman will be up against his former club.
While at Chelsea, Giroud also came up against his former side Arsenal in the Europa League final and scored a spectacular goal to help the Blues win 4-1. The France international striker could compound Chelsea’s woes on Wednesday night. A win for AC Milan in London means that Chelsea have to win all three remaining matches to qualify for the next round of the competition.
Poor form for Chelsea
Chelsea started their 2022/23 Champions League campaign on the worst possible note.
They lost to lowly rated Dinamo Zagreb in their first game. The loss cost Thomas Tucchel his job, with Graham Potter taking over. The Englishman led the Blues to a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg at Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan are in good form and has grown in leaps and bounds. They are the Serie A champions and will look to hurt Chelsea in their backyard. Chelsea are a little short on confidence following their struggles this season.
Giroud confessed that he tried to pump up his teammates with a passionate address ahead of the first leg tie at Stamford Bridge. It is the first time the France international is returning to Stamford Bridge since he joined AC Milan in 2021.
Giroud also goes head-to-head with another former Arsenal forward. The France international will try to outdo Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they clash on Wednesday night. Giroud insists there is no rivalry or battle with the Gabon striker.
