Griezmann’s individual brilliance carries more than a hint of Michel Platini in 1984
NORMALLY YOU STAY away from such comparisons but sometimes they’re inevitable.
In 1984, Michel Platini was the creative hub and inspiration for France as they went on to claim the European Championship trophy on home soil.
He managed nine goals at that tournament, including the last-gasp semi-final winner against Portugal.
In the decider – against the Spanish in Paris – he grabbed the opener as France racked up a 2-0 victory.
Of course, there were other standout performers for the team – Alain Giresse, Luis Fernandez and Jean Tigana.
But, when needed, it was Platini who got his team out of trouble like in a sticky opening game against Denmark. He was cool incarnate – the much-needed calm and composed presence for any team with hopes of winning a major tournament.
Memorably in a group game against Belgium, goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff tried to play mind games as Platini stepped up to take a penalty. Unnerved, the playmaker sent the keeper the wrong way.
This time around, it’s Antoine Griezmann playing the Platini role.
He’s popped up quite a few times now.
He came off the bench to rescue three points against Albania while he was the difference – the clinical force in front of goal – in a tough battle with the Republic of Ireland.
In such a one-sided quarter-final, they had far too much for Iceland though Griezmann made sure he got in on the act.
And tonight, against Germany, he was outstanding.
In the opening period, when Germany dominated, it was Griezmann who was still finding space and causing problems. He combined superbly with Matuidi to test Neuer early on and was there again to rattle the side-net later in the half.
He battled hard to win free-kicks around the edge of the area – anything to bring France some relief.
And, when the burden of responsibility needed to be shouldered, he was there to effortlessly stroke home the crucial penalty and arrive bang on cue to make the most of a couple of dreadful errors by Germany.
Platini ended up lifting the trophy 32 years ago. Griezmann has every chance of emulating him in that regard too.
Individual errors cost Germany dear
You don’t exactly expect Germany to conjure silly, unforced mistakes. But tonight, there were plenty of them across a high-profile clash.
You’d find it hard to remember a more anxious and careless German performance when they were chasing a game.
Normally, there’s a composure and an inevitable breakthrough. But this game was different. They snatched at things, trying to force it. They lacked that ruthlessness we’ve come to expect.
And that indecision peppered their second half in particular.
We had already seen Bastian Schweinsteiger concede a cheap penalty for a silly handball just before half-time. For such an experienced figure, it was a poor decision and it was a sign of things to come.
After the break, they had to come to terms with the loss of Jerome Boateng and Mustafi’s introduction certainly didn’t stabilise things.
http://vine.co/v/5aLDezDVdnW
When the second goal arrived, it was as a result of Howedes playing a pass across his own area, putting Kimmich in trouble and Mustafi getting done by Pogba.
But from there, it was about some poor goalkeeping – Neuer making the decision to come for the cross but not getting close enough to it. He couldn’t catch and elected not to try and punch so instead, he pushed it straight out in front of him where Griezmann tucked it away.
It was a neat metaphor for how the game played out.
Germany were a goal down at half-time but panicked. It led to mistakes and an unusually panicked approach for the majority of the second period.
Where to now for Low and Germany?
One era certainly ended for the side after the World Cup success in 2014 as Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose both retired.
But Low was impressed enough by the players coming through to remain on for another cycle, signing a deal through to Russia in 2018.
But there will be grounds for concern as he analyses this tournament.
At times, they sparkled and got things very right. But when it mattered most, they came up short with issues in attack and defence.
Their World Cup winner – Mario Gotze – is in need of a rebirth, losing his place here after an ineffective opening to the tournament.
Meanwhile Thomas Muller went through another European Championship without a goal.
Surely the likes of Schweinsteiger and Gomez won’t be around for the qualifiers and it remains to be seen where the inspiration in the final third is going to come from.
Ultimately, the country is the reigning world champions so reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated but Low will face some questions in the aftermath of tonight’s loss.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
