Olivier Giroud is optimistic his breakthrough season will continue apace as France face Serbia in their Euro 2012 warm-up match on Thursday.
Giroud: Brings 'something different'
Giroud shone at domestic level last season with his league-high 21 goals guiding Montpellier to their maiden Ligue 1 title, and the international scene has already had a taste of the 25-year-old's talents thanks to impressive performances in his first four outings for Les Bleus.
His first international goal arrived in a memorable 2-1 win over Germany in February, while in his latest international outing, against Iceland at the weekend, he came off the bench to set up two goals as Laurent Blanc's men battled back for a 3-2 victory.
Giroud should have done enough to earn a start against Serbia and he is confident he can offer the national side "something different" as Blanc seeks to finalise his plans ahead of France's Group D opener against England on June 11.
"I have increased my level of trust and showed my team-mates what my game is about," said Giroud, who made his debut in a friendly against the United States in November.
"My role is to provide something different. For me it is something new and special. I am very proud to wear the blue jersey, but I'm even more in official competition. That's a lot of pressure, but it's good pressure."
Asked whether Blanc would look to pair him up front alongside Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Giroud said: "It is conceivable, but the Euros are imminent. A change of tactics, trying new things, it is not a given, but if I continue like this, I will have my chance.
"I am ambitious, but it's not me who selects the team."
After spending his earlier career at clubs such as Grenoble, Istres and Tours, Giroud came to greater prominence with 12 Ligue 1 goals for Montpellier as they finished 14th at the end of the 2010-11 season.
But it was his exploits during Montpellier's unexpected title challenge that cemented his reputation and forced Blanc to take a closer look.
"It happened pretty quickly," Giroud said of his elevation to the national team. "It proves that with self-sacrifice, labour and a hint of talent, it can be done."
Giroud was named among Blanc's final 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine when the coach finalised his selection, with Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and Giroud's Montpellier team-mate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa the men to miss out.
Those who survived the cut but did not start against Iceland on Sunday are pushing to stake their claim, with Laurent Koscielny and Gael Clichy poised to come in for Philippe Mexes and Patrice Evra in defence.
First-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should return as France seek to extend their unbeaten run to 20 games under Blanc, while Yann M'Vila, Mathieu Valbuena and Florent Malouda are also likely to start.
Serbia, who have not qualified for Euro 2012, head into the match under a cloud after Fiorentina midfielder Adem Ljajic was dropped by coach Sinisa Mihajlovic not singing the national anthem prior to their 2-0 defeat to Spain on Saturday.
The Serbians also play Sweden next week as part of a three-match summer schedule that they are using as preparation ahead of the start of World Cup qualifying later this year.
Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17463/giroud_looks_to_push_claims
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