French team: Griezmann and Maignan uncertain… the Blues have small “bobos” to take care of before testing themselves against Germany and Chile

Didier Deschamps a fait le point devant la presse. EPA – CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

For Didier Deschamps, the French team has a few "little ailments" to take care of, in particular for Antoine Griezmann, before his big “workforce review", Saturday against Germany then Tuesday against Chile, last rehearsals before the Euro.

Grizou's record streak of 84 matches in a row with the Blues will she stop? "DD" will not make a decision before Tuesday, but the Atlético de Madrid star is doubtful for the match against Germany on Saturday (9 p.m.).

"We have time, the match (against Germany) is Saturday" in Décines, the Olympique Lyonnais stadium, tempered the technician at a press conference. Griezmann seems the most uncertain."Antoine has a problem with his ankle (right, Editor's note), which reacted even though he played 45 minutes last night", said Deschamps.

De retour à la maison! 📍🏰 pic.twitter.com/VQNcG9Lrds

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 18, 2024

Due to a sprained ankle, Grizou missed four games with Atlético before returning for the Champions League qualifier against Inter Milan (0-1/2-1 3 tabs to 2), scoring a goal. He came on at half-time in the defeat against Barcelona (3-0) on Sunday evening.

"Chouchou" of Deschamps, Griezmann is, according to his formula, "not irreplaceable but essential". Without him, we would have to draw the French eleven differently.

Optimism for Lucas Hernandez and Konaté

"With the qualities of Antoine in his register, we are not going to find a player who has his characteristics", explained the coach. "A replacement position for position is very, very, very difficult to find. We will arrange it differently".

Goalkeeper Mike Maignan left after 21 minutes of the Europa League match won at Slavia Prague by AC Milan (3-1), but he played on Sunday in the European Championship. #39;Italy for the victory in Verona (3-1). "Mike had a little problem at the end of the match with Milan, we'll see how it develops", noted DD.

Un nouveau kit, pour une année 2024 historique ✨🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/YpdoSMEjoP

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 18, 2024

He also recalled that Ousmane Dembélé suffered from a punctured eardrum and did not play with Paris Saint-Germain in Montpellier on Sunday (6-2). But his case did not cause concern among the Blues. Deschamps was also optimistic for Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Hernandez and Ibrahima Konaté: "Adrien should have no worries, Ibou neither". Konaté has not played any of the last three matches for the Reds, beaten on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Manchester United (4-3 ap).

The central defender had already missed the September and November rallies due to injury. "Ibou had some small problems, he is coming off a season where he played a lot", estimated Deschamps .  

"Involve as many players as possible"

Finally Lucas Hernandez has "a little feeling", but "which does not seem to pose a problem today", said the coach. The Parisian defender came out during the break in the match won in Montpellier (6-2).

These "little sores", according to Deschamps, should not disturb his "review of" effective". He wants "involve as many players as possible, anticipate what might happen in May or June, we're never safe"< /em> wounds.

Also read: Euro 2024: electric blue, red and blue stripes, giant rooster on the chest… discover the new Blues jerseys

"We're not here to try things, we know the players", he clarified. He didn't call any newbies to this gathering, despite the Bradley Barcola rumor.

"We are in rehearsal", developed the coach, for &quot ;try different associations on the two matches". "The advantage is to have a full week to prepare for the match against Germany", before the match against Chile on Tuesday (9 p.m.) in Marseille, he added.

With the typical team against Germany ?

Deschamps and his staff favor "recovery" for Monday and Tuesday. "If you want to know after these two matches who will start the first match of the Euro (June 14 – July 14, Editor's note), I'll let you think, debate&quot ;, the coach joked.

Barring surprises or injuries, for the starting lineup on June 17 in Düsseldorf against Austria, the competition is limited to the right-back positions, between Jonathan Clauss and Jules Koundé, and center forward, with Olivier Giroud, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram, even captain Kylian Mbappé, rather starting on the left. The team closest to the starting eleven should play against Germany. Especially if there is Griezmann…