Griezmann and Mbappe overcame any personal issues and worked together to score a goal as Deschamps denies any sort of rift between the two
According to Didier Deschamps, Antoine Griezmann’s disappointment at not being chosen as France’s captain over Kylian Mbappe was brief and lasted only two minutes.
In fact, Mbappe assisted Griezmann’s goal just under two minutes into France’s 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
Mbappe, who also scored twice in the match, was named the new captain by Deschamps, but the coach assured reporters that there is no tension between Mbappe and Griezmann.
Deschamps has ‘total confidence’ in Maignan
“Fortunately, I don’t know what is said and written. The two get along well, they work well and they have the same objective of seeing the French team perform well,” he said.
“Antoine’s disappointment lasted two minutes. There is not the slightest problem, like the whole group. Everyone gave off positive vibes.”
In the 88th minute, Mbappe scored the fourth and final goal of the game. However, in stoppage time, the Netherlands was awarded a penalty, but Mike Maignan saved Memphis Depay’s effort.
Maignan was playing his first game as France’s new first-choice goalkeeper, having replaced the retired Hugo Lloris.
Deschamps expressed confidence in his decision to make Maignan the first-choice keeper.
“It’s Mike. I didn’t have to ask myself the question,” he said. “He was injured but whether it was his qualities as a goalkeeper or his mentality… total confidence. It went very well for him. Mike has everything to take over [from Lloris].”
France took an early lead, scoring three goals within the first 21 minutes of the game. But this was the first time they had taken such an early lead in a game since December 1953, when they beat Luxembourg 8-0.
“I don’t know [if it was a perfect evening], but [it was] a very nice evening,” Deschamps said. “The start was very good, efficient… We managed in the second half while continuing to be dangerous. However, the fact that Mike stopped this penalty at the end ended the evening well.”
