St Petersburg: France forward Antoine Griezmann said Friday winning the World Cup against Croatia, Sunday was more important than how his team do it.
Belgium’s players had criticised the tactics France used in their 1-0 semifinal win as Didier Deschamps’ team sat deep and Samuel Umtiti’s headed goal came from a corner, but Griezmann dismissed the criticism.
“I don’t care. I want a second star (on my shirt for World Cup winners). If I get that star, I don’t care about how we play,” the 27-year-old Atletico Madrid forward told a press conference at France’s training base outside Moscow. World Cup winning sides have stars on their jerseys depicting the number of times they have won the title. France have one star already on the players’ jerseys having won the title in 1998, hence Griezmann’s quest for a second star on the shirt.
Griezmann said he had changed the way he plays for France in order to benefit the team. He finished top scorer at EURO 2016 with six goals but France lost the final to Portugal on home soil. He has just two goals in Russia and both have come from penalties, but he has contributed two assists.
“I was top scorer but we lost, so I said to myself: I am going to score less to see if we can win’,” Griezmann said with a naughty wink.
“My game is changing, now I am more likely to dictate the rhythm or hold onto the ball. If I score, then that’s great, but I am more a player who thinks of the team than of scoring,” added the forward.
After a slow start in Russia, France have picked up form. Their blend of experienced campaigners like Griezmann and Paul Pogba, and young stars like Kylian Mbappe and Benjamin Pavard, ensure they are the bookmakers’ favourites, Sunday.
