Antoine Griezmann missed France’s friendlies against Germany and Chile on Monday with a sprained ankle, ending his run of 84 consecutive appearances for the Gallican outfit. The Atletico Madrid star is absent from the France squad for the first time since November 2016 as the French side play their final friendly matches before Euro 2024 from June 14 to July 14. Griezmann has featured in every game for France since the friendly against England in June 2017, when the striker was yet to feature.
Lazio’s Matteo Guendouzi was called up to the national team for the first time since the last World Cup, replacing Griezmann, who made 127 appearances for France and scored 44 goals.
The French Football Federation said coach Deschamps described Griezmann as “not irreplaceable but indispensable” for the French team, but he accepted the advice of the team doctor.
The 32-year-old missed four games for Atletico before returning last week and scoring against Inter Milan in the Champions League as the Spanish side advanced to the quarter-finals on penalties.
He also came on as a half-time substitute in Sunday’s 3-0 La Liga loss to Barcelona.
Deschamps said: “Antoine has a problem with his ankle. Even though he played 45 minutes last night, his ankle still reacted.”
Guendouzi made seven appearances for France, scoring one goal. His last appearance was in the final match of the World Cup group stage in Qatar, when Qatar lost 0-1 to Tunisia.
“With Antoine’s qualities, we couldn’t find a player with his characteristics,” Deschamps said.
“It’s very, very difficult to find replacement positions. We’re going to structure things differently.”
“Workforce Review”
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is also out injured, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé is recovering from a punctured eardrum.
Deschamps said he is optimistic about Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Hernandez and Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool defender Konate has not featured in the English club’s past three games and also missed France’s games through injury in September and November.
“Ibrahimovic has had some minor problems and he has just finished a season in which he played a lot of games,” Deschamps said.
Deschamps said he wanted to “get as many players involved” as part of his final “workforce review” before announcing his Euros squad in mid-May.
He said the aim was for the two-time European champions to predict what might happen in May or June as “we will never be safe” from injuries.
“We’re not here to try things, we know the players,” he insisted.
However, Deschamps has not called up any new signings, dismissing speculation surrounding 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker Bradley Bakla.
“We are rehearsing and trying different combinations in the two games,” Deschamps added.
The French team will play two friendly matches against European host Germany in Lyon on March 23, and two friendly matches against Chile in Marseille three days later.
Deschamps’ side will kick off their European tour against Austria in Dusseldorf on June 17.
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