WORLD CUP FINAL 2018: FRANCE v CROATIA MISSING
Red-faced Giroud hasn’t even hit the target yet but that won’t stop him
MISFIRING Olivier Giroud claims he’s been left “embarrassed” at Russia 2018 – but reckons he still could be a hero for France today.
The Chelsea star holds the most unwanted statistic at the World Cup after playing more than eight hours of football without a single shot on target.
And despite his inability to conjure even a single worthy effort, Giroud is confident he can end the tournament on a high – with a goal and the coveted trophy.
He said: “‘Each time, there isn’t much missing for me to score.
“Either I’m embarrassed at the last moment, or the defender covers well.
“It is true that I would have liked to help the team more against Belgium in the semi-final. But it was not to be the case.
“But I remain confident in my chances of scoring in the final against Croatia and helping the team bring back this Cup. I really hope to do it in the final. We are really on a small cloud and we hope to stay there.”
Aside from not troubling goalkeepers from Australia, Peru and Denmark in the group stage, then Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds, Giroud’s other contributions don’t stand out either, with just one assist in the 10 goals France have scored.
It’s a shocking record – but even more surprising is that demanding Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps will start former Arsenal star Giroud against Croatia in today’s final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Deschamps has been repeatedly quizzed on why he sticks with Giroud given his other attacking options on the bench, most notably Ousmane Dembele and wingers Florian Thauvin and Thomas Lemar.
The French manager also left Manchester United youngster Anthony Martial and Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette out of his squad – but is steadfastly sticking with Giroud. The Chelsea star said: “When France were world champions in 1998, Christophe Dugarry scored one and Stephane Guivarc’h didn’t score at all.
“If we are World Cup winners without me scoring, then I don’t mind. If I’m on the pitch, it means the boss thinks I can help.”
For Giroud and the rest of the French squad today’s final is the chance to emulate the class of ’98 – Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Petit and Deschamps among them – who won the trophy when France hosted the tournament 20 years ago.
Giroud added: “This is exceptional. Honestly, it’s a kid’s dream. We are so proud to share this with our families, friends and all the French.
“It was not easy against Belgium but we wanted to get to the final so badly.
“Now, there’s one game left, 90 minutes, maybe more, to go get it.
“The victory in 1998, are unforgettable memories. I remember Zizou’s head on the Arc de Triomphe. We want to make the same memories.” France and Chelsea star Olivier Giroud has vowed to come good in front of goal in this afternoon’s World Cup Final