Champions League - Semi-finals - 1st Leg
AC MilanAC Milan20:00Inter MilanInter Milan
Venue: Giuseppe Meazza

AC Milan v Inter Milan: Oliver Giroud 'more motivated than ever' as he eyes another Champions League final

Olivier Giroud smiling at AC Milan training
Olivier Giroud spent 10 years playing in the Premier League for Arsenal and Chelsea

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud says he is "more motivated than ever" at the age of 36 as he attempts to win a second Champions League title.

Giroud was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2021 final.

He left the Blues that summer to join Milan, who face city rivals Inter in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

"I'm [nearly] 37 years old, but I have the same motivations as a young boy," said the France striker.

"I'm more motivated than ever. It's a great opportunity to win the Champions League.

"A derby is always a special match. I am very proud of this Milan team and we hope to do something great tomorrow."

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli says he will make a late call on Rafael Leao's selection after the Portugal winger suffered a muscle injury against Lazio at the weekend.

Leao, who has 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, was forced off after just 12 minutes but was able to resume training on Tuesday.

"In the morning Rafa and the doctor will tell me his condition. If he is well he will be called up, otherwise not," said Pioli.

"If the test is clean he can play. If it is not clean he cannot play - either from the start or the end."

Inter Milan are hopeful that Danilo D'Ambrosio will be available for the match at the San Siro while full-back Robin Gosens will be assessed.

The two Italian giants, who have won 10 Champions League titles between them, have met on two occasions in the knockout stages of the Champions League, with Milan winning both of them in 2003 and 2005.

"We will have to be very good at using our heads when we need to, because there are always unexpected events in such important matches," said Inter manager Simone Inzaghi.

"We know what it means for us, for the club, for the fans, even for myself. But I'm quite serene, I've seen the boys very focused."

As It Stands

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Napoli65012061415
2Liverpool65011761115
3Ajax62041116-56
4Rangers6006222-200

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1FC Porto6402127512
2Club Bruges632174311
3B Leverkusen612348-45
4Atl Madrid612359-45

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Bayern Munich66001821618
2Inter Milan6312107310
3Barcelona6213121207
4Viktoria Plzen6006524-190

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Tottenham632186211
2Frankfurt631278-110
3Sporting621389-17
4Marseille62048806

E

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Chelsea6411104613
2AC Milan6312127510
3RB Salzburg613259-46
4Dinamo Zagreb6114411-74

F

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Real Madrid6411156913
2RB Leipzig6402139412
3Shakhtar Donetsk6132810-26
4Celtic6024415-112

G

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Man City64201421214
2B Dortmund623110559
3Sevilla6123612-65
4FC Copenhagen6033112-113

H

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Benfica6420167914
2PSG6420167914
3Juventus6105913-43
4Maccabi Haifa6105721-143
View full Champions League tables

Top Stories

Elsewhere on the BBC