• World Cup 2022

Griezmann embracing new France role amid injury crisis

Antoine Griezmann - France
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The Atletico Madrid star will need to cover for the absence of a few key players in Qatar.

Antoine Griezmann has insisted he is ready to take on a more defensive role in France’s World Cup games.

Griezmann played a key role in France’s attacking line as they won the title in 2018. However, injury problems seem to have convinced Didier Deschamps to change his tactics for the Qatar tournament.

With Karim Benzema missing the tournament through a thigh injury, Deschamps is reportedly planning to use Griezmann in a No. 10 role behind two forwards.

Asked about his new position in the lineup, Griezmann told Telefoot: “I don’t know. Otherwise, you should give me the phone number of the Australia coach and we’ll give him the eleven.

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 “I try to be a very complete player.Whether offensively or defensively, I love getting balls back, helping my team-mates in defence. 

“For me, it’s always a pleasure. No matter where I play, I try to give the maximum, to do what the team needs.”

Griezmann believes he’s in the right form ahead of the World Cup.

“I needed a big pre-season, a good preparation,” he added. “I feel I’m in great shape, I have the legs and the head is fine.”

France will kick off their campaign with a match against Australia before taking on Denmark and Tunisia in their next Group D games.

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