Top scorer in the history of the Blues, Olivier Giroud leaves the French team through the back door

The striker with 57 goals for the Blues played little during the Euro, and played his last match for the national team in the semi-finals on Tuesday, before ending his career in Los Angeles.

This is what we call a damp squib ending, or rather a Weisswurtz ending, the white sausage speciality of Munich, where the Blues saw their European dream come to an end on Tuesday 9 July, in the semi-finals against Spain (1-2). Not spared by Didier Deschamps during the competition, he came on in the 79th minute^e minute, and lived his last moments in the jersey of the French team.

He left the stadium with his head down, passing journalists almost anonymously. What was going on in the head of Olivier Giroud, the top scorer in the history of the Blues (137 caps, 57 goals), who only had crumbs of playing time to sink his teeth into during this Euro (56 minutes spread over four matches)? Certainly a lot of disappointment, but also a possible bitterness about his management during the competition.

The day before, Didier Deschamps had not been kind about his centre forward in a press conference. “In the three games he came on, he wasn’t more effective than the others”had tackled the coach, who does not deal in sentiment. It is true that Olivier Giroud had not contributed much to the French team when he came on and that he was often in failure in front of goal during training sessions open to the media, even appearing physically awkward. But, against Spain, his height could have been an asset to take back the numerous crosses and set pieces of the Blues.

In the quarter-finals, the coach had already chosen to do without the services of the ex-Milanese, seen dejected at not coming into play, negotiating with Guy Stéphan during extra time against Portugal. Didier Deschamps’ assistant had certainly told him their intention to bring him on only for the penalty shootout, a replacement that ultimately did not take place before the end of the 120 minutes, provoking the player’s annoyance.

This entry into play could have represented more pressure than anything else for the attacker. He would have been almost obliged to score to justify it, but could have signed the end of his international career in the event of a miss and defeat.

After the elimination on Tuesday evening, Didier Deschamps was still led to pay tribute to him by answering a question asked at a press conference. “He was there at the start, he’s the last one left from the first match against Uruguay, in Le Havre [la première de Deschamps sur le banc des Bleus, le 15 août 2012]. He had some difficult times and ended up being the top scorer. He is an example of longevity, seriousness and professionalism. Even though he had less playing time at the Euro, he was fully involved with the group.”

“He was one of the leaders even though he wasn’t on the pitch. I want to say bravo and thank you for everything he did.”

Didier Deschamps, coach of the French team

at a press conference

Finally, Olivier Giroud – whose popularity rating has never diminished according to the “Giroud, Giroud” fallen from the stands each time he came on – would stop at 137 caps and 57 goals, before heading to Los Angeles FC, where he would join another legend of the Blues, Hugo Lloris.