JAKARTA - AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud is not thinking about a new contract. He is focused on Milan, which is currently competing with city rivals, Inter Milan, in the Italian Serie A competition.
Giroud's contract at his own club will end next year. Giroud is no longer young. However, at the age of 37, he has actually become the main pillar of Stefano Pioli's squad.
Giroud's sharpness has not decreased at all. Last season, he and Rafael Leao were the Rossoneri's main goal machines. Giroud himself has scored 36 goals in 92 games at Milan since 2021.
This season, he immediately showed his sharpness by scoring five goals in Milan's first three matches in the Italian Serie A. It's just that the former French national team striker seems to have lost his fertility and has never found the back of the opponent's goal for the past month.
However, he remains Pioli's mainstay on the front lines. Giroud was again the first choice when Milan faced hosts Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League match, Thursday, October 5 at 02.00 WIB.
"We have to play better in this second match of the Champions League than against Newcastle United. This is not a decisive match, but it is an important match," said Giroud as quoted by Football Italia.
Giroud said that the team had recovered since suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat against Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. After that defeat, Milan then drew 0-0 against Newcastle.
However, they then went fast in domestic competitions. After winning 1-0 over Verona, they then beat Cagliari 3-1. Finally, Milan beat Lazio 2-0 which put them in tight competition with Inter in the race for the top of the standings.
The Milan duo both have 18 points. However, Milan lost on goal difference so Inter is at the top of the standings.
"We made a lot of changes to the players to strengthen the team. We want to achieve success in the Champions League and the league. The quality of our squad is also better than last season," said Giroud, who was less interested in discussing a new contract with Milan.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker said that he felt happy at Milan. However, he hasn't thought about a new contract yet.
"I don't want to think about it right now. I'm focused on doing my best for Milan. What's clear is that I've been happy here since I first arrived," he said.
Only Giroud will have free transfer status next December if the club does not renew his contract. If he is a free transfer, even though he is still playing for Milan until June 2024, Giroud can already negotiate with the club. He even has the right to sign a contract with another club without Milan's involvement.
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