Thanks to his new role, Antoine Griezmann is one of the biggest surprises of this World Cup and an absolute key player for France. His remarkable transformation began with a flippant saying.
It has now been more than a year since Antoine Griezmann scored a goal for France. In the 8-0 win in the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan, he scored to make it 7-0, that was on November 13, 2021.
Since then, the 31-year-old has appeared in 14 other international matches, but has not scored a goal. The fact that his goal doldrums also continued at the World Cup in Qatar fits into the picture. Because: Griezmann, who was still the top scorer at the EM 2016, is no longer a striker.
Deschamps with a new job for Griezmann
Having more than enough quality in the front row with Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembéle, France coach Didier Deschamps pulled Griezmann down a position at the tournament in Qatar. When in possession, Griezmann is still a kind of ten in a 4-2-3-1 system, but against the ball he acts as a central midfield sweeper in a 4-3-3. The 31-year-old has a lot of freedom going forward, but he has to deliver defensively. Griezmann completed both tasks with flying colors. The best of both worlds.
Griezmann towers against England
How important the Atletico Madrid pro is in this new role for the “Team Tricolore” is illustrated not least by the quarter-final game against England (2-1). Griezmann, who has created the most chances throughout the tournament (17) and even beats Lionel Messi in this category (16), shone throughout the 90 Minutes as a clock and also directly prepared the two goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Giroud.
“His role has changed a bit, but he still has the same qualities”enthused central defender Raphael Varane. “He can set the pace of the game. He can make it fast or calm it down.” In the absence of the injured Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, Griezmann has been promoted to boss in the engine room. He picks up the pace when he sees gaps. As soon as things get too tight or the team needs a breather, he calms things down. In short: the French game revolves almost entirely around Griezmann.
Suddenly Griezmann can also defend
New to the repertoire, and this is the most astonishing development, Griezmann now also has the game against the ball. Against England he made as many defensive tackles as left-back Theo Hernández, right-back Jules Koundé, central defender Dayot Upamecano and six Adrien Rabiot. Griezmann also had the second most pressing actions of all players and was often found in his own penalty area.
Even against Denmark, when he won the most tackles and captured the most balls, and against Poland, when he ran the most kilometers, Griezmann had put himself completely at the service of the team and excelled in disciplines he was unfamiliar with.
The most important thing: Griezmann’s eagerness to work means that the highly-assessed offensive can save energy. Griezmann works, Mbappé, Giroud and Dembélé do magic. “He has the ability to defend and let the others play”summarized Varane. “He has become a key player. He fights for the team”added Koundé.
It started with a saying by Deschamps
Griezmann, who has not missed a cap in his last 72 caps, arguably the all-time record, has undergone an amazing transformation. He probably never would have thought that it could come to this.
As early as October 2019, according to the legend that is often told, coach Didier Deschamps is said to have given his protégé to understand at dinner after a dismal 1-0 win against Iceland that he was actually playing in the wrong position. “Do you know that you would be a very good defensive midfielder?”, Deschamps shouted through the room at the time and earned a lot of laughter. Griezmann himself is said to have only smiled tiredly.
Now Morocco is waiting
Three years later, Deschamps’ saying has become reality: the opponents in particular have stopped laughing. Griezmann is in the form of his life before the semifinals on Wednesday (14.12.2022, 8 p.m.) against Morocco. Even his goal doldrums don’t bother him. “That’s why I don’t worry”stressed the former striker. “The team needs me at the heart of the game.”