The 29-year-old struck twice as France progressed to the semi-final by beating minnows Iceland 5-2.
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While Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet have both netted three times for France at Euro 2016, Matthaus believes that Griezmann is the man Germany have to watch out for during Thursday’s semifinal in Marseille.
“Germany are used to hogging ball possession, they typically have more than the opposition but we can not play the match thinking only about defending and then catch them on the break”, he added.
The two sides, co-favorites on the odds to win Euro 2016, underwhelmed in group play but still managed to finish first with seven points apiece.
“For us, there is no fear”.
Loew, known also for his keen fashion sense and trademark tight V-neck sweaters, has now led his team to at least the semi-finals in every tournament they have played in since he took over after the 2006 World Cup.
“The goals they’ve scored against Iceland were individually very nice, but the Icelandic defence didn’t look too good”. “Everyone is free to say “they weren’t good”, but we deserve to be here today”.
“For us there is no loss of quality”.
Similarly, his Real Madrid team-mate has failed to score in four of his five matches at Euro 2016, with a double strike against Hungary leaving him an 8/1 (9.00) outsider to add to his numerous individual accolades.
The draw and extra-time is 2/1, with either side to win in the additional 30 minutes 6/1, while a penalty shoot-out is 7/2. We didn’t use our brains, but part of that might be France playing very well.
“He’s the best French player at the moment”, the ex-Bayern Munich and Inter Milan midfielder said.
With Hummels suspended, Shkodran Mustafi or Benedikt Hoewedes will partner Jerome Boateng at centre-back with Joshua Kimmich at right-back and Jonas Hector on the left.
“We have grown at all levels, defensively, in midfield and attack”, Sissoko said.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: “We want to win at all costs in order to qualify”.
“He is strong in the air, he is unsafe for central defenders”.
“We have a calmer team than two years ago and we’ve had good results”.
Mark is ESPN’s French football correspondent.
Just as it was for the Germans against Italy, the semi-final is a fixture steeped in history.
He also dismissed talk of revenge for their 2014 World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Die Mannschaft.
France have never kept a clean sheet in their four meetings with Germany at major finals tournaments.
The mood in the German camp is of confidence, despite considerable personnel problems.
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Germany is bidding to follow its World Cup win with its fourth European title and its first since 1996.
