Olivier Giroud says he ‘loves playing German teams’ ahead of Chelsea’s Europa League semi-final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Giroud scored as Chelsea booked their place in the last four with a 4-3 win over Slavia Prague at Stamford Bridge, sealing a 5-3 aggregate success for Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Chelsea scored twice in the opening nine minutes to take control of the tie, Pedro netting the first before a Simon Deli own goal.
Giroud scored Chelsea’s third, his tenth goal in Europe this season, before Tomas Soucek pulled one back for the Czech side.
It was five goals before the interval in an entertaining clash at Stamford Bridge as Pedro scored his second after 27 minutes, before midfielder Petr Sevcik scored twice in the second half for the visitors.
Chelsea will now play Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals, after they beat Benfica on away goals in the last eight, and Giroud says he is relishing the clash.
“It is going to be a good game,” he said.
“I love playing German teams, there is going to be a good atmosphere over there. We expect a really tough game.
“They are a good team with a good strikers so we have to be focused and cautious.”