Giroud names former Celtic man as toughest defender he ever faced

Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has returned the favour, naming Virgil Van Dijk as the toughest defender he ever came up against after the Liverpool ace surprisingly named him as his toughest rival. 

The 38-year-old returned to European football this summer when he signed for Lille after a brief stint with LAFC in Major League Soccer. 

During a recent interview, he was asked about Van Dijk’s comments from a year ago in which the Dutch centre-back told France Football that Giroud gave him the most headaches in his career. 

The Frenchman returned the favour by saying Van Dijk was a tough defender to play against but added that he often found a way to get the better of him. Giroud scored three goals in the seven games he played against Van Dijk, per Statmuse.

“It’s my turn to say it: He’s the toughest defender I’ve played against“, Giroud, per Le Media Carré. “He’s complete, rough, and he hits you in the back, but always respectfully!“

“I don’t want to brag, but I often managed to escape his marking, get past him, or win a duel.“

Giroud has taken to life in Ligue 1 on his return. He has scored two goals in three games so far, helping Bruno Genesio’s Lille lead the league table with an unbeaten start to the season.