Giroud admits Ibrahimovic is trying to fix derby mentality in Milan’s younger players

Olivier Giroud has admitted that he has received help and advice from Zlatan Ibrahimovic since he returned to the club, while the team are also benefitting.

There has been a lot of talk about Ibrahimovic’s role after he officially became a Senior Advisor to RedBird Capital Partners and AC Milan, but almost all reports say he has started his position with the desire to learn.

While his official contractual position is that of ‘Senior Advisor’, the reality is that you cannot confine Ibra to a formal position. His role is and will be to be Zlatan, only with normal shoes on and not football boots.

Giroud gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his past, present and future at Milan and you can read the full interview here. Among the topics he was quizzed on was Ibrahimovic’s return to the club.

“Ibra is the link between RedBird and the team, he connects us with the ownership without overlapping with Pioli’s work,” he said.

“He is here to help, especially on mental approach and motivation. He talks to us and helps us. He says: ‘If you win, I win too’.”

Does he also give advice to a 37 year old world champion?

“Certainly. He always encourages me, talks to me before and during matches, at half-time. He wants me to speak up, to help my team-mates.

“Zlatan knows that this is a young group that needs experience, players who speak up and set an example. He wants me to be more of a leader.”

Giroud was also questioned on the fact that Milan lost five derbies in a row to Inter during the calendar year of 2023, including the Supercoppa final and the two Champions League semi-final legs.

In 2023 you lost all five derbies, how much does it sting?

“It burns. The derby must burn here (he touches his chest). Ibra also serves this purpose, to make the younger players understand that the derby is a special match, it must come from the heart and the soul. We are on the right track, even if there are still too many games left.”