Giroud at 38 can no longer play consecutive matches, Larqué says after Ancelotti's decision

Davide Ancelotti chose not to start Olivier Giroud on Wednesday evening against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, despite the absences of Ethan Mbappé and Ayase Ueda. A decision that has reignited debate over the place of the 2018 World Cup winner in Lille’s starting eleven, in what is announced as the final season of his career.

Jean-Michel Larqué was not surprised by the LOSC manager’s decision. For the former Saint-Étienne midfielder, physical reality is unforgiving: at 38 years old, Giroud plays the most athletically demanding position. “He occupies the most difficult position, the one that demands the most maintenance of the primary qualities that are speed and sharpness. But time is merciless on muscle,” he said on RMC.

To illustrate his point, Larqué invoked the example of Cristiano Ronaldo: “Even when your name is Cristiano Ronaldo, you realize it’s complicated to play 90 minutes twice a week. I tend to trust Davide Ancelotti.” Before concluding unambiguously: “I don’t see Giroud capable of playing consecutive 90-minute matches several times a week.”

Larqué acknowledges, however, that the situation can generate frustration for the striker, forced into a super-sub role while the starting center-forward position is vacant due to injury. Giroud has nonetheless proven he can still make an impact on a match: it was he who made the difference coming off the bench in the derby against Lens, securing a 1-0 victory for LOSC.

The picture is therefore that of an experienced player whose occasional impact remains real, but whose body no longer allows him, according to Larqué, to meet the demands of a packed European calendar. A reality that Davide Ancelotti appears to have factored into his management, even if it means leaving his most experienced striker on the bench even during periods of offensive shortage.