Football
8y

France should win Euro 2016 - Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann says it would be "a failure" if France do not win Euro 2016.

Griezmann, 24, is set to be a key player for the hosts this summer after hitting 19 goals at club level so far this season.

He told L'Equipe he sees Belgium as one of the favourites for the tournament but that France should be targeting victory too.

"They're full of confidence," he said of Belgium. "They have a nice squad. But above all there's us. You're playing at home, you have a great team ... if we don't go all the way it will be a failure."

Griezmann say France's experience at the 2014 World Cup, when they lost 1-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals, will help them at Euro 2016.

He also believes that calling on players like Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane will boost their chances significantly.

"The more you play at the top end of the standings, the more you get used to this pressure and the need to win every match," he said. "It makes you mentally tough. Paul played in a Champions League final, Raph' rubs shoulders with the very best players every day.

"Me, even when I draw a match I'm not satisfied. This desire to win -- I think the French squad has it.

"I've always wanted to play this type of competition with France. This summer there will be a lot of kids who will be following us. It's up to us to inspire them on and off the field."

At club level, Griezmann is thriving at Atletico despite their rugged, counter-attacking style being unusual in La Liga.

"With us, it's everyone back and afterwards we attack," he said. "We're the only team [in Spain] that plays like that.

"That's our strength. We're renowned for being a pain in the neck. In the league we've only conceded eight goals.

"To play the game like Barca, we don't know how to do that. As a forward, at the start you say it's annoying but when you see the results..."

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