World Cup 2022: Deschamps ‘gives us almost all the power’ says Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann gave a very rich and intense press conference this Friday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. A bit like his game since his start at the World Cup, he is good everywhere. His new role, his special relationship with Didier Deschamps, Euro 2021, Mbappe, and the fight against homophobia… the Blues’ No. 7 took his time as easily as we know him, 48 hours before the eighth final against Poland .

How do you see your new role as a torchbearer?

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN. There are three players in front of me that I have to put in the best conditions. I have more options, more choices. When I am physically healthy, my head is much better. It’s easier for me to try again. And in defense, as usual, I’m here to help everyone and try to scrape together two, three balls.

You feel more free, but also more relaxed on the field. Do you feel you are better at conveying your joy in life?

Being in a good physical condition helps me a lot. And then, I have zero problems in my personal life and in my head. I had a difficult time at Barcelona. Last year was also difficult when I returned to Atlético. You had to work and make yourself small. But gradually I found myself on the field and beyond. I feel very good in the club and in the national team. I feel that people need me and trust me. So everything is rolling.

There were it’s an eighth-place elimination at Euro 2021, victory in the League of Nations immediately after … So it comes out of a rather convincing first round. What has changed in a year and a half in the Blues? And what is the role of the coach in this change?

We were too relaxed against Switzerland. When we were 3-1 up, we thought it was all over. At big competitions, you understand that it is difficult. There is no easy opponent. The same will happen with Poland, it is not a foregone conclusion. You won’t have to let go of anything from the 1st to the 90th minute (…) The coach has a lot of faith in the group. He gives us, shall we say, almost all powers. A good attitude on and off the field depends on us. The group is doing well, we have good behavior in training, whether it’s eleven or those who have been brought back.

France-Switzerland euro reminds in some aspects of this France-Poland… Does it reveal any ghosts?

Poland will be difficult. The team has a lot of changes compared to Switzerland. We are not in the quarter ahead of the 8th, we all need to work hard before this difficult match. We’ve seen it, you can lose against any team. Now we have to move on, even if it hurts. Perhaps we will remember before the match that nothing is certain and that even if you are ahead or behind, we can lose the match at any moment.

How different is Mbappe 2022 from Mbappe 2018?

This is not the same player and not the same person as now. We see him more often in the group, in training, he brings joy to life. He knows what is important to him and that his every move on and off the field will be watched by journalists, fans and also by his teammates. He’s perfect (laughs).

We see that you are very involved with it. Do you agree that your relationship has evolved?

Like I said, we don’t have many minutes together, not many workouts. It’s hard to work on complicity. It comes like games and years spent together. There I play below to try and find hitters. I begin to understand his game, I know what he needs, what he wants. It gets easier over time.

How do you assess your personal relationship with Didier Deschamps?

I owe him a lot, he called me. We never left each other. I owe him everything in the French team. I try to do everything so that he continues to trust me. Every ball, every action, it’s like a thank you that I send him to make him proud of his number 7.

Is this new positioning your idea?

The coach loves to talk to the players, find out how you feel. He will always try to find the best solution to find the best balance. I think we found it there. He trusts everyone very much, this is his strength. We have a group that knows about it. And who is behind it.

In 2018, you systematically took standard rooms. Is it as good as 2022 when you pull them?

Yes, then, I’m here if needed. Whether it’s a free kick, a corner kick, a penalty kick, six yards, I can do it all. I do what the coach wants.

Are the instructions on the identity of the penalty taker already defined?

It’s very clear in this question. But we do not give Szczesny’s information, he has already stopped two, so if there is a third in front of us, he will be surprised by the shooter.

Are you missing your goal?

No, I had opportunities to put one up, especially against Denmark where I missed my gesture. I’m less close to the surface, but I think I play good games. I miss that goal, but I’m not the kind of player who shoots 50 times in a game. I don’t worry about the target. The team needs me in the center of the game, in terms of defense and attack. I’m not going to rack my brains by shooting ten times a game. I want to find Kylian or Usman one on one, I’m more interested in that vision than the finish line.

Is this your last World Cup with the Blues?

I don’t know, it will have to be seen with my performance. I already heard that it was limited for this World Cup. Perhaps I gained extra pounds and could not play the next World Cup. You must also compete at club level. If my feet follow me, and the desire and joy of life remain, then we’ll see.

How do you feel about Lloris as a captain and as a man?

He is a very big man and a very big goalkeeper. He saved us many times in 2018. He will go down in the history of the French national team. Nicely. He can be proud of what he does. He is a very good friend, an excellent comrade, an easy-going person. Even if he is not very talkative, we really enjoy his presence.

You spoke out against homophobia and for human rights. Is there a part of you that is not shy about playing this World Cup in Qatar, which has been criticized in this area?

A little confused and yes and no. Wherever I am, they know they will always have my support. I am a footballer, this is my profession, my country calls me to play in competitions, so I come with pride and great desire. But they have my full respect and support.

70 consecutive games for the Blues. What does this entry mean to you?

In 1940 we made a few calls to keep me going (laughs). It’s the relationship I have with the coach, as well as the possibility of getting injured outside of qualifying periods. This is a huge pride. I give everything for this jersey and for the coach. Because without him, this record wouldn’t exist.

“Kilian needs to keep his feet fresh when we attack”

Is your team more aggressive than at Euro 2021? Have you worked on the penalty?

We haven’t worked on the penalty yet. Maybe today or tomorrow when it’s behind closed doors (laughs) (…) Maybe there are more strikers, but we need that balance to be compact when we don’t have the ball. Without great defense, you won’t win big competitions. Olive (Giroux) and Ousmane (Dembele) are doing an exceptional job. Kilian is also a bit, but he needs to keep his cool when we attack. Even if we have attackers, we must not forget when we don’t have the ball. This will be the key to our future in this competition.

How different is your approach to the World Cup between 2014, 2018 and 2022?

Yes, it’s different. I talked about it with Matteo (Guendouzi) and Jordan (Veretout). The first match they felt against Tunisia, I felt it too. Stress, heavy legs, you pass, you don’t feel the ball. Now, behind the matches, he’s gone, there’s nothing left. But 2014 was a difficult year. It wasn’t me, it was different. There is always a little stress and adrenaline at the World Cup.

Paul Pogba is often referred to as a tournament player. You too are becoming a big player again in this World Cup after getting a bit lost. How to outdo yourself for a big event?

There is a lot of jealousy in these matches. Then to say that I’m lost is a little mean and a little rude (smiles, ed.). Playing in major competitions is always a little extra, there is a desire to succeed. These are the seven games in which you must give your all. There is no fatigue, you have to give everything for the most beautiful T-shirt in the world.

You sent a message to Joshua Kimmich, after the liquidation of Germany last night.

It is difficult when you get out of failure, you see everything in a black light, especially when you have a team and you are ready for it. He was able to celebrate, which can be annoying when you’re against him, but I wanted to show that I’m here. Maybe he really doesn’t care (laughs). But I also experienced it. So “hold on” (…) I don’t know him personally, but he is my colleague by profession. Return it to us as soon as possible.

Do you have a message for Pele?

Pele, what can I say. Legend. I never met him. I hope one day I can do it. He is Brazilian, an international legend. Whatever I say, it will not be on the level. Even though I haven’t seen him perform live, I have seen the video and it’s something exceptional.