During the first test against Germany, the France team will have to do without the services of its playing master, Antoine Griezmann. Plagued by some physical problems in recent weeks, the Atlético de Madrid player was forced to withdraw for the first time since 2017. An absence regretted by his teammate, Kylian Mbappé. “Since I was in the selection, I have always been used to having him with me. 84 matches in a row, it's dizzying, legendary… Whoever wants to beat that, get up early, but it won't be me. Now, we will try to fill his absence as best we can, he is a player who cannot be replaced. The biggest mistake would be to ask the player who will play in his place tomorrow to do what he does. Antoine's style makes him a special player for the Blues.declared the Parisian at a press conference.
But as far as Didier Deschamps is concerned, the package of the vice-captain of the Blues does not represent an insurmountable challenge. In front of journalists, the French coach assured that he had prepared for this eventuality. “We’ve already replaced it. The role of the staff is to anticipate. I prefer to have the best players available but we have already done without him. There are many possibilities. It’s better that it happens there than in 2 months”conceded the Basque technician before suggesting that he could bet on Warren Zaire-Emery to replace him: “It’s his role, he is part of these relay circles. He has the ability to project himself. Antoine, it’s Antoine. I don’t want an Antoine encore.”
