Euro 2024: France drop Griezmann for Dembele in Spain semi-finals

France coach Didier Deschamps dropped misfiring forward Antoine Griezmann for Ousmane Dembele in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final clash with Spain in Munich.

Griezmann has started all but one of five matches so far at the tournament but has failed to spark in a France attack which is yet to score from open play.

France’s three strikes have come from two own goals and a penalty converted by captain Kylian Mbappe.

Les Bleus are also yet to concede from open play in the tournament. Their one goal conceded came from a penalty scored by Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

Injuries and suspension have forced Spain coach Luis de la Fuente to make three changes to his starting XI, including starting Dani Olmo for the injured Pedri.

Pedri injured his knee early in Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Germany and was replaced by Olmo, who was named man of the match after scoring a goal and laying on an assist.

Suspensions for defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand mean Jesus Navas, 38, and the 34-year-old Nacho will be tasked with keeping tabs on Mbappe.

Starting line-ups:

Spain (4-2-3-1)

Unai Simon; Jesus Navas, Nacho, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams; Alvaro Morata (capt)

Coach: Luis de la Fuente (ESP)

France (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappe (capt)

Coach: Didier Deschamps (FRA)

Referee: Slavko Vincic (SLO)

AFP

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