Antoine Griezmann was on Monday dominated out of France’s friendlies in opposition to Germany and Chile with an ankle sprain ending his document run of enjoying 84 consecutive video games for Les Bleus.
The Atletico Madrid star will probably be absent from the French squad for the primary time since November 2016 as France performs their ultimate friendlies earlier than the Euro 2024 match from June 14 to July 14, 2024.
Lazio’s Matteo Guendouzi has been known as up for the primary time for the reason that final World Cup instead of 127-cap Griezmann, who has scored 44 targets for France.
Coach Didier Deschamps has described Griezmann as “not irreplaceable however important” for the France set-up, however accepted the suggestions of the staff physician, the French soccer federation mentioned.
The 32-year-old missed 4 video games for Atletico earlier than returning final week and scoring within the Champions League in opposition to Inter Milan with the Spanish aspect advancing to the quarter-finals on penalties.
He additionally got here on at half-time within the 3-0 defeat in opposition to Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.
“Antoine has an issue along with his ankle, which reacted although he performed 45 minutes final night time,” Deschamps mentioned.
Guendouzi has performed seven instances for France, scoring one purpose. He final performed within the ultimate group match within the Qatar World Cup, a 1-0 defeat in opposition to Tunisia.
“With Antoine’s qualities, we’re not going to discover a participant who has his traits,” Deschamps mentioned.
“A alternative place for the place may be very, very, very tough to search out. We’ll organize issues in a different way.”
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan can also be an damage doubt whereas Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele is recovering from a punctured eardrum.
Deschamps mentioned he was optimistic for Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Hernandez and Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool defender Konate has not performed the final three matches for the English membership and was additionally absent for France in September and November as a consequence of damage.
“Ibou had some little niggling issues, he’s coming off a season the place he performed so much,” mentioned Deschamps.
France performs European hosts Germany on March 23 in Lyon and Chile three days later in Marseille.
AFP
