Will Antoine Griezmann regain his starting place in the French team? Considered Didier Deschamps’ “favorite”, “Grizou” was suddenly downgraded after a very sluggish start to Euro 2024 and doubts persist over his presence at kick-off against Belgium in the round of 16, on Monday in Düsseldorf.
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The coach remained mysterious after the pitiful draw conceded against Poland (1-1) on Tuesday, a match in which the Atletico Madrid striker started on the substitutes’ bench, only coming on for the last 30 minutes. Asked about the possibility of seeing Griezmann again to challenge the Red Devils, the technician carefully deflected the question. We have time ” he said.
Three days before this crucial meeting, Deschamps is still unclear about a major player in the history of the Blues, one of the main architects of the 2018 world title and one of its basic elements for ten years. A small event in itself as the relationship between the two men seemed solid, enough in any case to resist a possible misfortune from the native of Mâcon (33 years old).
Even if Deschamps denied the existence of a Griezmann “problem”, his complicated performances during the first two matches of the European Championship (victory against Austria 1-0, draw against the Netherlands 0-0) visibly marked a certain distance between them, leading the coach to do without his services for an hour in the third match.
” He played almost every match in full, the boss of the Blues tried to justify himself after the game. You have a bone to gnaw on. I know what he is capable of. Think what you want, it is a choice to give him a breather. »
Relaunched in the 8th final?
The player with 132 caps (44 goals) logically had little taste of being relegated to the rank of substitute, he who holds the record for consecutive appearances for the French team (84 between August 2017 and November 2023). But he was rather happy and comfortable during Thursday’s training, a sign that his morale is not completely reached.
“ Antoine is our second captain, recalled defender Dayot Upamecano on Thursday at a press conference. He is in a very good state of mind. He encouraged us, he smiled. This is an example for all of us. »
His luck lies above all in the lack of alternative solutions available to the coach. The lack of creativity of the trio aligned in the middle in his absence (Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot) could thus encourage Deschamps to restart it to face Belgium. It remains to be seen in what position.
Placed near the striker against Austria and the Netherlands, contrary to the tactical schemes used at the 2022 World Cup and in recent months, Griezmann was too far from the heart of the game and did not have his usual influence. He was also incredibly clumsy against the Dutch, notably wasting two golden opportunities.
If he were reinstated as a starter, would he complete the midfield or would he again be forced to play higher up, at the risk of limiting his power in the construction and perhaps pushing the coach to sacrifice another offensive element? This is the whole point of the reflection of the French staff.
” He is an essential player for us. We know that he is the guardian of our game. It is through him that all the passing circuits pass. He has this responsibility. He is an exceptional player », decided Aurélien Tchouaméni last week.
The ball is now in Didier Deschamps’ court.