France coach, Didier Deschamps is convinced Antoine Griezmann will be an advantage for his side when they face Uruguay.
French striker, Antoine Griezmann will be playing against his Atletico Madrid team-mates, Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez (in defence) on Friday in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals’ opening match between Uruguay and France at the Nizhny Novgorod.
“Knowing each other has advantages and disadvantages for Griezmann because Antoine knows them,” Deschamps told reporters at his conference. “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.”
Both France and Uruguay made it to the quarterfinal unbeaten. PSG stars, Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Messi’s Argentina 4-2, while Edinson Cavani’s brace eliminated Ronaldo’s Portugal in last-16 round. Deschamps said he’s prepared his side for Cavani – who may miss the tie after suffering an injury against Portugal.
Girona’s Cristhian Stuani will get the starting role should Cavani fail to be fit for the quarterfinal match. “I prepare the team to face Uruguay with or without Cavani, so until (Friday) I will not know for sure what to expect,” France coach 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.”
Photo Credit: Getty/AFP
