Germany play Japan on Saturday and then take on France the following Tuesday, but they will have to do without their in-form Olivier Giroud.
The World Cup runners-up will have to do without their record goalscorer Olivier Giroud (54 goals in 125 international matches) at the Signal-Iduna-Park in Dortmund on Tuesday. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced that the 37-year-old would be absent due to “a slight sprain of his left ankle”.
Giroud had played in the 2-0 (1-0) win over Ireland in the European Championship qualifiers on Thursday, but had to be substituted for ex-Gladbach man Marcus Thuram after just 26 minutes. Thuram then celebrated his first goal for the Equipe Tricolore.
Giroud slowed down by injury
As reported by “L’Equipe”, Giroud’s injury is said to be nothing serious, but to be on the safe side, he will miss the clash with four-time world champions Germany, France coach Didier Deschamps refraining from making a late call-up.
Milan worries
Giroud thus made his way to Milan early, where they must have registered the experienced attacker’s substitution due to injury with concern. After all, the Rossoneri also have Giroud to thank for their fantastic start to the season.
The 36-year-old veteran striker scored four times in the first three games, helping the Milanese to three wins from three games and thus to join city rivals Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table.
After the international break, the city derby at Inter, of all places, is on the agenda. On the following Tuesday, the Italians kick off their Champions League campaign with a home match against Newcastle United.