XtraTime Web Desk: France had their best performance in this year’s World Cup, when they dominated Argentina by 4-3, yet manager Didier Deschamps thinks his side to have certain advantages going their crunch Quarter-Final tie against Uruguay.
The 2 time World Champions has the likes of Diego Godin and Jose Giminez in defense, which happens to be Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid teammates.
Deschamps believes that this familiarity will give Griezmann an edge when they meet and he spoke about it ahead of the game on Friday.
“Knowing each other has advantages and disadvantages for Griezmann because Antoine knows them,” he said.
“He knows their weaknesses, because they spend a lot of time together in Madrid, so on both sides there will be a lot of respect.”
“After 90 minutes, they will be friends again.”
He also touched on the possibility of Edinson Cavani not being available for Uruguay.
“I prepare the team to face Uruguay with or without Cavani, so until tomorrow I will not know for sure what to expect,” he remarked.
“If he is not available, there will be other exceptional players to replace him such as Cebolla or Stuani, but Cavani is Cavani.
“He is one of the best attackers in the world.”
The incredible performances of Kylian Mbappe have lit up the tournament.
“The youngsters usually have more difficulty knowing that, after succeeding, they have to continue working, but he has done very well,” Deschamps added.
“What he did in the last match has seen a ton of praise come his way, but he has done great things at just 19 years old.
“You can continue to make progress if you know how to manage these moments and you have to avoid relaxing if everything goes well, because that’s when you can start to believe that you do not have to work hard anymore.”