France need titans to rise
Hosts expect better displays from Pogba and Griezmann when they square off against gritty Albania
Albania are unlikely to pose much of a threat to France but Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann will be expected to produce sharper performances in Wednesday’s Group A match where victory should assure the hosts a last 16 spot in Euro 2016.
Midfielder Pogba and striker Griezmann were both lacklustre in France’s opening 2-1 win over Romania, a result that was salvaged thanks to Dimitri Payet’s stunning 89th minute strike.
Victory against Albania in Marseille would put France on six points from two games with their place in the knockout phase all but guaranteed.
“We all realise how important Antoine and Paul are for us and I’m sure you will see a great France team with both Antoine and Paul at their very best,” said midfielder Moussa Sissoko.
A long season with Atletico Madrid appears to have taken a toll on Griezmann. The 25-yearold played more than 50 official matches and was on club duty till May 28, when Atletico were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Pogba has struggled to recreate the impact he has with Juventus and coach Didier Deschamps said after the Romania game that he expected “much more” from the gifted midfielder.
“Paul can do better obviously but I’m not disappointed in his performance,” he said.
“The media are expecting too much from him. He has outstanding technical abilities but he’s also a player who does a lot of hard work, who wants to do well, maybe too well.”
Pogba, as well as fellow midfielder Blaise Matuidi and defender Laurent Koscielny skipped Sunday’s training session despite not reporting any injuries.
Matuidi believes France will fare better against Albania, who beat them 1-0 a year ago in a friendly game.
against France in the two friendlies played in conjunction with the qualifying competition. They drew the first encounter 1-1 in Rennes before winning 1-0 at home in Elbasan.
France had won their four previous competitive meetings — all at European Championship — with a goal difference of +10.