Giroud scores late goal for Lille

Olivier Giroud scored in the 86th minute to give Lille a 1-0 win over Lens in the northern derby on Friday. His goal came after he came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute and benefited from a cross from Robin Risser following a shot from Nabil Bentaleb.

Lille climbs league table

The victory lifted Lille to second place in the provisional Ligue 1 standings. The win was a significant result for the team, especially in a derby match, which is typically a high-stakes game between local rivals.

Giroud praises team effort

Giroud expressed his satisfaction with the win, saying it rewarded the "complete match" put in by his teammates. He also addressed concerns about his playing time, stating he has been working hard to be ready whenever the coach calls on him.

Giroud's fitness and commitment

Giroud mentioned he has been running extensively in recent matches, including covering 14 kilometers against Belgrade last year. He clarified that his potential retirement at the end of the season does not mean he should not be relied upon, and he emphasized his commitment to pushing his teammates.

Giroud's frustration with playing time

Giroud has only started one of the last five matches across all competitions and was left on the bench in the draw against Monaco. Coach Davide Ancelotti has preferred to use Hakon Haraldsson as a false nine instead of Giroud, which has upset the striker. Ancelotti admitted Giroud is frustrated with his limited playing time and has told him he is not considered an impact player.