‘Didier Deschamps knows where to play me’: Frustrated forward Antoine Griezmann takes a swipe at Ronald Koeman over his Barcelona role on the right after scoring for France
- Antoine Griezmann says France boss Didier Deschamps ‘knows’ his best position
- Striker is frustrated at his wide right role for Barcelona under Ronald Koeman
- Griezmann scored in France’s 2-1 win over Croatia playing in central position
- He performs well alongside Anthony Martial and match-winner Kylian Mbappe
Antoine Griezmann has seemingly taken a subtle swipe at his Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, insisting France coach Didier Deschamps ‘knows where to play me’.
Griezmann netted in France’s 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia on Wednesday amid reports he is unhappy with his playing role at Barca.
Deschamps deployed the 29-year-old striker in his preferred central position alongside Anthony Martial and match winner Kylian Mbappe, and it reaped dividends in Zagreb.
Antoine Griezmann netted for France and then issued what looked like a dig at Ronald Koeman
Griezmann celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after hitting his 33rd international goal for France
Griezmann joined Barcelona in a £108million deal last year but is reportedly frustrated at being asked to play out wide by new manager Koeman.
France boss Deschamps last week revealed the striker told him he was ‘unhappy’ at being utilised on the right at his club, with Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho playing through the middle and Ansu Fati on the left.
But after Wednesday’s win Griezmann insisted his better form for his country is because Les Bleus boss Deschamps knows where he can be most effective.
‘He coach [Deschamps] knows where to play me, so I take advantage of this situation, this position, and the confidence of the coach and my teammates,’ Griezmann told AS.
Griezmann is said to be unhappy with his role for Barcelona under Ronald Koeman (right)
‘The ball came to me, I tried to bring it down then just hit it. I gave it everything, it feels good, I feel good.’
Griezmann was happy to play his part after hitting his 33rd international goal, leaving him just one away from becoming the joint-fourth top scorer for Les Bleus behind Thierry Henry (51), Olivier Giroud (42), Michel Platini (41) and David Trezeguet (34).
‘It was a complicated game, not very nice to watch and not very nice to play in either,’ Griezmann added.
Griezmann claimed Didier Deschamps ‘knows where to play me’ after France’s win over Croatia
‘The pitch was soft, it was difficult, and against an opponent who really wanted to win.
‘The most important thing was to win, to show that we are defensively sound and that up front we can score from any small opportunity.’
The victory keeps France level on top with Portugal in Group A3, with the latter beating Sweden 3-0 on Wednesday.
While impressing for France with four goals in his last six games at international level, Griezmann – who scored 15 times in his first 51 appearances for Barcelona – is yet to open his club account in the new season.
And with Koeman preferring Coutinho alongside Messi, having chipped in with a goal and two assists from three appearances, former Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann may have to accept his wide role for a while longer.
Barcelona have won two of their opening three games this season, easing to impressive victories over Villarreal and Celta Vigo before they were held at home by Sevilla.
Koeman’s men head to Getafe at the weekend before hosting Ferencvaros in their Champions League opener in midweek.
