By Pete Hall, Special to Sportsnet
PARIS—This France squad is full to bursting with a wide variety of talent, but the impact of that special type of player—a match-winner—cannot be downplayed.
It’s been quite the few weeks for Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid forward signed a new deal to remain in the Spanish capital, fending off interest from a host of potential suitors. Then, after making his most telling Euro 2016 impact against Ireland in the Round of 16 clash, Griezmann upped his game yet further versus fairy tale-chasing Iceland in the quarterfinals, creating two goals and scoring a sublime fourth in a rampant French first-half onslaught.
And it was all made possible by a coach deploying the fleet-footed forward in his favoured position—hardly quantum physics, but a move that has been a long time coming nonetheless.
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Even when Iceland did their best to Formez vos bataillons, France had too much, all orchestrated by Griezmann. Fans were chanting “Griezmann’s on fire” all around the city before the game– yet another take on a song that has become synonymous with this tournament–and even the Parisian downpour couldn’t put it out.
It is difficult for any coach to know his best starting XI coming into a tournament, but for France’s Didier Deschamps it must be almost impossible with the plethora of talent at his disposal, and he hasn’t been afraid to ring the changes.
Sometimes the best players can become a victim of their own versatility. Take Wayne Rooney for example. Having played as a striker his entire career, Rooney has been moved back into midfield due to his passing ability, and lack of other options for both England and Manchester United.
Griezmann has the same curse, as he is perfectly adept out wide as he is up top. Deschamps elected to play the more direct Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac down the middle in the group stage games, forcing Griezmann to the flanks.
Stuttering displays ensued against Romania, Albania and Switzerland (hardly the pantheon of international opponent) with Griezmann having to drift inside to score a late, late winner against Albania. Then, as Deschamps has learned the strengths and weaknesses of his personnel, the former Monaco, Juventus and Marseille supremo realised that a player with Griezmann’s magic isn’t best utilised on the flanks, and promptly switched his system.
The Ireland match is when Deschamps had that epiphany. With the Irish comfortable and in front at halftime, Les Bleus’ boss took a gamble, withdrawing a holding midfielder and bringing on Kingsley Coman, shifting the talented teenager out wide, with Griezmann sitting in behind Giroud.
Fifteen minutes after the break, France had turned the game on its head, with Griezmann netting twice. Instant gratification.
Then on to a sodden Paris and a date with Iceland. Deschamps didn’t buckle, and went with the same formation that finished the game against Ireland. His decision was made easier by the suspension of N’Golo Kante, but it was still a bold move to overlook that midfield anchor.
Despite the conditions, plenty of Nordic defensive attention and the vociferous “thunder clap” coming from the Icelandic contingent, Griezmann could not be deterred, with all the freedom of the Stade de France to express himself.
“Griezmann is best down the middle,” French journalist Antoine Placer said. “France has plenty of talented wingers, [so] Deschamps doesn’t need to put Griezmann out there. He has been incredible for Atletico Madrid through the middle, linking up play with a neat first touch. Why change that?”
After going out with a whimper in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals against a Germany side that didn’t get out of second gear, France has a score to settle in their semifinal on Thursday in Marseille.
“It will be a completely different match,” Olivier Giroud said after the Iceland win. “They are world champions. We have plenty of desire to get our revenge for what happened at the World Cup. I am proud of what this French side is achieving.”
One huge conundrum facing Deschamps is whether to go with this attack-minded, flexible 4-4-2 system against Germany after it proved so prolific vs. Iceland, or reintroduce another holding midfielder.
Without disrespecting Les Bleus’ opponents to date, Germany offers a different proposition altogether, and going into the semifinal against the world champions, with so much at stake, Deschamps might revert to a central midfield three.
“I am going to take some time to think about it,” Deschamps replied when questioned about what system he will select against Germany. “I am not the only one to tweak my system. I pick my team on the opposition. Joachim Low also makes changes. There is time, so I will have a real think about it.”
Football is much more pragmatic in the modern era, with the riches success brings making tactics much more conservative, but the Tricolore support will be hoping that the talismanic Griezmann isn’t marooned on the wing once again.
With the weight of an expectant nation weighing heavily on his mind, so soon after missing a penalty in the Champions League final in another Atletico heartbreak, Griezmann has stepped up to the plate when it has really counted, leading the tournament scoring charts, and more importantly spearheading a Gallic assault on more glory on home soil.
France is unbeaten in its last 17 major tournament games played on home soil, winning 15 and drawing two—and if it is to continue that fine run, Griezmann is likely to be the main protagonist.
Fortune favours the brave, and should Deschamps be bold with his side against Germany he could become a national hero, and we could see why Griezmann is regarded as one of the world’s best in the process.
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