Adrien Rabiot has said it will be easier for France to beat Spain in Tuesday's Euro 2024 semi-final if his underperforming team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann can finally find their form in the tournament.
France have struggled to score goals in Germany so far, scoring just three times in their five games.
Mbappé, who had to play wearing a mask after breaking his nose in the opening match against Austria, scored a goal from the penalty spot. The Blues'The other two attempts were both own goals.
Griezmann, for his part, has yet to score in the finals.
“This is a team game and even if they are having some problems, we have reached the semi-final,” midfielder Rabiot said at a news conference on Monday at the Allianz Arena.
“Team spirit is important and winning as a team is more important than winning individually. In the case of Kylian and Antoine, maybe their legs are not as fresh as they could be, but we support them 100%. We have blind faith in them. They are players who can change a game at any moment.
“It's a team sport and when we have the captain [Mbappé] “If something bad happens to someone, nothing happens to Antoine, we are there to support him. But obviously it would be easier if Kylian and Antoine were at their best, which has not been the case so far.”
While Mbappe's performances can be attributed to injury problems (coach Didier Deschamps said he came into the tournament with a back problem and that having to wear a mask affects his vision during play), Griezmann's dip in form has come as more of a surprise.
“I think everyone is surprised because we know what he is capable of,” said Rabiot when asked again about the performances so far of Griezmann, who has played in different positions in attack, sometimes even as a right winger.
“We saw what he did at the last World Cup, when he was probably at his best. I don't know how to explain this moment, maybe he's not in such good physical shape.”
“Obviously we have [high] “We have high expectations of Antoine, we expect much more from him because he is capable of giving much more. But, are we capable of winning without a great Antoine? We have a high-level team.”
France's struggles in attack contrast with a solidity in defence that has allowed them to concede just once in the tournament so far, a penalty retaken by Robert Lewandowski in the group stage.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente declined to discuss Mbappe's slump in form when he spoke to reporters later on Monday.
“These types of players are unpredictable, you don't know when they're going to appear,” said De la Fuente. “They never disappear. In any case, Mbappé at 50% could still be 100% of any other player. He can make the difference in a second. He's a genius, a superstar.”
“We will try to minimise their participation and France's chances. We are ready. We have the players and the tools to do it, whoever is on the pitch. I have blind faith in this team.”
Given the quality they possess, their lack of goals in their games has led to suggestions that they are a boring team to watch, something which offended Deschamps when pointed out to him by a Swedish journalist.
“If you get bored, watch another game, that's fine,” the French coach said at a press conference.
“You don't need to watch it. It's the Euros. It's difficult for everyone. But we've made the French happy with the results, pulling off matches out of the bag, especially in a period that has been difficult for our country.” [during elections].
“But I'm sorry that the Swedes are getting bored of our football, although it doesn't bother me that much.”
France will face a Spain side in the semi-final that has won every game so far at Euro 2024, the only nation to do so, and Deschamps has been impressed by Luis de la Fuente's side.
“Of course Rodri is essential for Spain, but the whole team is essential, everything they have done on the pitch in this competition so far,” Deschamps said when asked about the importance of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
“They are the team that has had the best Euro Cup so far and that has left the best impressions after each game.”
Central to Spain's progress to the semi-finals has been the role of wide players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
Yamal, who turns 17 later this week, scored against France in the semi-final of the Under-17 European Championship last summer but has settled seamlessly into the senior side, contributing three assists – the most in the tournament so far at Euro 2024.
However, Rabiot said they will have to do even more if they are to reach Sunday's final in Berlin against England or the Netherlands.
“We've seen that he's a player who can handle pressure very well,” Rabiot replied when asked if the situation could weigh on the Barça teenager.
“He has many qualities, as he has shown at his club, but also in a tournament as important as this one. We know what he is made of, up until now he has kept a cool head.”
“It's clear that he might find it difficult to face a semi-final at a major tournament. It's up to us to put pressure on him and get him out of his comfort zone. And to reach a Euro final, he needs to do more than he has done so far.”
