Ankle Injury Forces Griezmann Out, Ending 84-Match Run With France
France's preparations for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament have hit a snag as star forward Antoine Griezmann has been ruled out of action due to an ankle sprain, bringing an end to his remarkable streak of 84 consecutive appearances for Les Bleus.
The Atletico Madrid talisman's absence marks the first time he will miss a match for France since November 2016, posing a significant challenge for coach Didier Deschamps as he fine-tunes his squad ahead of the continental showdown scheduled from June 14 to July 14.
Griezmann's Unprecedented Run Comes to a Halt
Antoine Griezmann's remarkable run of featuring in every French match since June 2017, encompassing a staggering 84 games, has come to an abrupt halt due to an ankle injury sustained during club duty.
The 32-year-old forward, who has been a linchpin for Les Bleus, will be dearly missed as France navigates through their final friendlies before Euro 2024.
Matteo Guendouzi Earns Recall
In light of Griezmann's absence, Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been handed a recall to the French national team for the first time since the 2018 World Cup. The inclusion of Guendouzi underscores Deschamps' efforts to bolster his midfield options and compensate for the absence of the prolific forward.
Deschamps' Dilemma: Finding Griezmann's Replacement
Acknowledging Griezmann's indispensable role in the French setup, Coach Didier Deschamps faces the daunting task of identifying a suitable replacement for the prolific forward. Deschamps, however, remains optimistic about the fitness of key players such as Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Hernandez, and Ibrahima Konate, as he seeks to maintain squad depth ahead of Euro 2024.
He said, “Antoine has a problem with his ankle, which reacted even though he played 45 minutes last night.”
Injury Concerns Loom Over Konate
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate's fitness remains a cause for concern as he continues to battle with recurring injury issues. Deschamps remains hopeful of Konate's availability for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Chile, emphasising the importance of managing the defender's workload effectively.
“We are not here to try things, we know the players,” he insisted.
However, Deschamps opted against summoning any new faces, dismissing speculation surrounding 21-year-old PSG attacker Bradley Barcola. “We’re in rehearsal, to try different combinations in the two matches,” he added.
France's Pre-Euro Preparations in Full Swing
With Euro 2024 looming on the horizon, Deschamps is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to assemble a formidable squad capable of challenging for continental glory. The upcoming friendlies against Germany and Chile present an ideal opportunity for experimentation, as Deschamps aims to fine-tune his tactics and identify the optimal lineup for the tournament.