French midfielder, Antoine Griezmann has mocked Chelsea and their goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois after the Belgium No. 1 accused France of playing ‘anti-football’ in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.
France advanced to Sunday’s final against Croatia following a 1-0 win with the goal coming from Barcelona defender, Samuel Umtiti in the second half.
Belgium dominated the opening period but were unable to penetrate a stubborn French rear-guard, protected by the outstanding N’Golo Kante and marshalled by Real Madrid centre-half Raphael Varane.
After the match, Courtois was among a number of Belgium players who criticized Les Bleus for playing with a lack of flair and adventure.
The Belgium goalkeeper said, “It’s just an anti-football team. Their striker plays 30 metres from his own goal. France heads a corner and does nothing more than defend.
“I would have preferred to have lost in the quarter-finals to Brazil at least, that was a team that wanted to play football.”
Courtois’ club teammate, Eden Hazard added, “I prefer to lose with this Belgium than win with that France.”
But Griezmann, who will spearhead the attack alongside Olivier Giroud in Moscow on Sunday, reminded Courtois that Chelsea, under their now former manager, Antonio Conte, were hardly famed for free-flowing attacking football.
He said, “Does Thibaut Courtois think that at Chelsea, he plays Barcelona football? I don’t care how; I want a second star to be on this shirt. That is all.”
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