Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Paul Pogba crucial to France success at Euro 2016 - Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann believes that Paul Pogba will prove pivotal to France's chances of winning Euro 2016.

Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann, 25, and Pogba, 23, were both dropped from the starting XI by France coach Didier Deschamps following the host country's 2-1 victory over Romania on the opening night of the competition.

Griezmann has since returned to form in spectacular fashion, coming off the bench to grab a late winning goal against Albania before netting a brace in the 2-1 win against Republic of Ireland in the round of 16 on Sunday.

A lot is expected of Pogba too and Griezmann feels that the Juventus midfielder is responding positively to the pressure.

"Mentally, he's tough," Griezmann said at a news conference on Monday.

"He's played a lot of big matches -- he's a player that we need.

"We don't need him to score goals but to retrieve the ball and to get the team playing -- a little bit in the style of Koke at Atletico.

"You don't see him much but he does a huge amount of work for the team."

France will take on England's conquerors Iceland in the quarterfinals on Sunday at the Stade de France but they will be without centre-back Adil Rami due to suspension.

Griezmann added that he is certain both Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala and Lyon's Samuel Umtiti are capable of playing alongside Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.

"Eliaquim is a defender who goes in hard and gives everything at training," Griezmann said.

"It's another style of play with Sam. If Barca are following him, that says a lot.

"We'll be relaxed whichever player is selected."

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