Didier Deschamps and Adrien Rabiot on Spain-France – ‘It’s hard to explain Antoine Griezmann’s form’

France manager Didier Deschamps has declared Spain the best side of Euro 2024 so far, but also repeated that if his side were boring people, then they knew where to find the remote. Les Bleus come into the match with their full squad available, but several doubts about their fitness and form.

A major talking point at the French Euro 2024 camp has been the elections across the border,  with some celebrating the victory of the centre-left alliance over the far-right on Sunday. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot was non-committal on the issue.

“We were concerned about the election results, but we have other things on our minds. Some colleagues mentioned it on social networks. Some were relieved. It was important that people went to vote but I am a footballer and if it is good or bad the result will be clear down the line. We will see what the future will bring us,” he told Sport.

He seemed more concerned by Antoine Griezmann’s state of form. The France line-up is widely predicted to be without Griezmann in it, with the Atletico Madrid forward struggling to get into games. Rabiot had no explanation for it though.

“We all know how well Griezmann can play. We don’t really know how to explain his form. Physically he is not in his best moment, but we have expectations desposited in him. We all trust him. I don’t know if we will win with the best Griezmann or not, but this is a team sport. We all support Griezmann and Mbappe even though they are not at their best.”

The Juventus midfielder was also happy to adapt to try and combat Spain’s strengths, rather than impose their own.

“We can play with several systems, we must have that chameleon-like ability to adapt to the system and the rival. It’s about playing, getting used to it.”

“He has the strategy very clear in his head. When you work hard at something, you do so to feel satisfied with it. He gives us advice about our rivals but makes us wait until the last moment to find out who plays. He knows what we have to do. A high-level footballer must have the ability to adapt at any time.”

For manager Deschamps, the key to Spain was their midfield, even if it has been described as a team defined by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. He was asked how France would go about stopping Manchester City’s Rodri Hernandez.

“Spain have a great midfield, they have the ability to maintain control of the game, they are a complicated and dangerous team up front, but it is the midfield that holds everything together. But it is all the players who maintain the level. I don’t want to put pressure on Spain, but it is the team that has played the best. That’s my impression.”

Although the form of Griezmann could see him dropped, the lack of production from Kylian Mbappe is also a matter of state. Scorer of France’s only goal scored by them from the penalty spot, Deschamps said he was improving every day.

“He will be 110% in terms of football. Physically he is not completely fine, but the game will start. We would have liked to have had one more day of rest. He is in good condition, like the other players. He had a little problem with his back, then the blow to his face… But he’s still with us. I am convinced that tomorrow he will give everything for the group.”

“It is a new situation for him, especially because of the mask, his vision has changed, he must get used to it. He’s getting better every day, but he’ll have to wear the mask for a couple more weeks, maybe a few months…”

That lack of goals has been part of significant criticism over their style of play, but Deschamps was not bothered by that whatsoever.

“If you get bored, change the channel and put on another game. What can I tell you… It’s a difficult tournament for everyone. It has happened to us in previous editions, but we have the ability to make many French people happy. There have been times when we have suffered, but I’m sorry if our football is boring now.”