Adrien Rabiot says Antoine Griezmann is “capable of doing a lot more” as France prepare to face Spain in the semi-finals of the European Championship on Tuesday.
Griezmann, who is fourth on the list of France’s all-time leading goalscorers, is yet to find the back of the net at Euro 2024 and has struggled to reproduce the form that made him a key player under head coach Didier Deschamps.
The Atletico Madrid forward has played in all five matches in Germany but was substituted in the second half of the quarter-final win over Portugal last Friday.
His performances have been in stark contrast to his return at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he had scored three goals at the same stage of the tournament.
“We are all surprised when we know Antoine’s qualities and what he did in the last World Cup, where he was undoubtedly one of the best players,” said Rabiot, who missed France’s penalty shootout win in the last eight through suspension.
“I don’t know how to explain it, maybe he is less physically fit. We expect a lot more from Antoine because he is capable of doing a lot more.
“We can win without Antoine, we have a high-level team. But obviously it would be easier if we had Greizmann and Kylian Mbappe at the top of their game.”
Griezmann’s dip in form comes amid ongoing criticism of France’s style of play under Deschamps. Les Bleus have scored three goals in their run to the semi-finals, the fewest of the teams left remaining in the competition.
“If you are getting bored, watch another game, you don’t have to watch that is fine,” Deschamps said in a press conference on Monday.
“It is a European Championship, it is very difficult for everyone up until now.
“Maybe it isn’t the same as in the past but we have the capability to share emotions, make lots of French men and women happy with our results which we’ve pulled out the bag in a period where there is a lot going on at home.”
France will play either the Netherlands or England in the final on July 14 if they overcome three-time winners Spain on Tuesday evening.
GO DEEPER
France’s defence is controlled, disciplined and built in the image of Didier Deschamps
(Boris Streubel – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
