Didier Deschamps has not benched Antoine Griezmann for a major tournament since the second game of EURO 2016 against Albania. Griezmann's run of 84 consecutive appearances for France was only interrupted by injury in March.
This time it was Deschamps' tactical decision to leave Les Bleus' vice-captain on the bench against Poland. With the third game of the group stage, it was unusual for the Atletico Madrid striker to not start.
The decision was communicated to Griezmann by the Les Bleus coaching staff. Little information has been revealed from the conversation but the reason is believed to be to conserve fitness.
Previously, Deschamps had publicly admitted that he was not satisfied with Griezmann's performance in the match against Austria. The French captain said that his student made many mistakes and did not have enough influence in the match. When asked after the match against the Netherlands, Deschamps had a more positive view.
“Griezmann has been better. However, he needs to take advantage of the opportunities he has. He has had a busy season. In high-intensity games, in the centre of midfield, it is not always easy,” Deschamps said.
In other words, the 55-year-old tactician currently does not see Griezmann as fit enough to play as an attacking midfielder in the 4-3-3 formation he plans to use against Poland. This is a heavy assessment for a player who has been familiar with recent major tournaments through fitness issues. So, if Les Bleus perform well against Poland with a more defensive-oriented formation, will Griezmann's position be threatened?
Deschamps will not be easy with his decision. The captain of the "Galorean Rooster" knows Griezmann has enough class and experience to play in a big arena like EURO 2024.
Despite his disappointing performances, Griezmann is also optimistic and insists he knows how to adapt to the tournament. However, it is not certain that this adjustment is what the Atletico Madrid star wants.
According to L'Equipe, Griezmann is said to be extremely disappointed and very upset about this decision. The 33-year-old midfielder also does not fully understand Deschamps' thinking because he himself believes that he does not have any physical problems.
“My physical condition is very good. In the two friendly matches before EURO 2024, I was a bit tired due to the heavy preparation process. At 33 years old, the recovery process is slower but I am always ready to compete” - Griezmann shared before the match with the Netherlands.
While the decision to bench Griezmann may be controversial, from Deschamps’ perspective, it may be a necessary choice as the French team needs a change to make a breakthrough. As the schedule gets tighter and the pressure gets higher, conserving fitness for more important matches may be Deschamps’ long-term strategy.
With his experience and talent, Griezmann will always be an important part of the “Galorenzo”. However, for now, perhaps the best thing to do is to let him rest and prepare for the bigger challenges that lie ahead. Griezmann’s patience and adaptability will be the key to helping him come back stronger in the remaining stages of EURO 2024.
Source: https://laodong.vn/bong-da-quoc-te/niem-tin-cua-deschamps-danh-cho-griezmann-da-khong-con-1357404.ldo
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