Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud controversial statement: In his recent interview, with French outlet L’Equipe, AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud claimed that France manager Didier Deschamps’s decision to recall Karim Benzema back to the national team for the European Championship caused a tactical imbalance, the Frenchman further stressed that Les Blues had to change their playing style and as a result, it took them several games to adapt to the changes, which cost Les Bleus the chance to redeem themselves after losing 2016’s final in Paris.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: France suffer huge blow, as Paul Pogba withdraws with injury
Benzema-Giroud Controversy: Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud gives controversial statement, claims Karim Benzema’s inclusion cost France Euro title
The former Arsenal striker, who had scored 46 goals with France, was 2nd on list of France’s top scorers only behind Thierry Henry, who had 51. Soon after Karim Benzema arrived in the national team, Olivier Giroud was relegated to the bench. Real Madrid’s centre-forward returned after 6 years in exile. The former Lyon man was banned from the French National Team after he was alleged to be involved in a sex-tape scandal involving former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema-Giroud Controversy: Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud gives controversial statement, claims Karim Benzema’s inclusion cost France Euro title
This is what Olivier Giroud told L’Equipe:
“I found out [about Benzema’s return] when the coach announced it,” Giroud told L’Equipe.
“It was [Didier] Deschamps’ will. I understand it, but I would have liked to have been warned sooner.
“I have nothing against Karim, but his return to the national team created a tactical imbalance and in our way of playing. It was something evident in some games, which luckily could be fixed quickly, as could be seen in the Nations League. However, it took time.
Benzema-Giroud Controversy: Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud gives controversial statement, claims Karim Benzema’s inclusion cost France Euro title
“I had no problems with Karim at the European Championship. He has changed and evolved. We ate every day at the same table.”
🎙| Giroud: “Benzema’s return to the national team has created a tactical imbalance. The change could not be done overnight, especially in the EUROS.” 🇫🇷 @lequipe
— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) November 6, 2021
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: France suffer huge blow, as Paul Pogba withdraws with injury
The two Frenchmen have had their fair-share of confrontations in the past also,
In a viral Instagram video, when Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was asked to compare himself to Olivier Giroud, Real Madrid’s Number 9 called Giroud a Go-Kart and labelled himself as a F1 car.
Also, in the past Giroud rejected a move to Lyon because he didn’t want Karim Benzema related abuse.
“I didn’t want to create controversy by joining the club that gave birth to Karim Benzema. Sadly, this is the cruel truth. I am forced to deal with that. Aside from that on the footballing side I could have handled it no problem. But I do not want to bring about the slightest risk for my family or to bring about non-footballing disagreements as a result of that, when I saw how some people react…” Olivier Giroud said in an interview with French outlet Le Progrès.
Benzema-Giroud Controversy: Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud gives controversial statement, claims Karim Benzema’s inclusion cost France Euro title
Benzema-Giroud Controversy: Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud gives controversial statement, claims Karim Benzema’s inclusion cost France Euro title
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