According to L’Equipe, French striker Olivier Giroud is having some trouble with coach Didier Deschamps, and the relationship between the two sides has been tense since EURO 2024 started.

Specifically, Deschamps is showing dissatisfaction and has begun to “question the commitment and fitness” of Giroud – who has so far only appeared from the bench for France at EURO 2024.

L’Equipe stressed that Deschamps is skeptical about Giroud’s commitment to playing a key role for France in the tournament taking place in Germany. Meanwhile, Giroud himself is also upset about not being in the starting lineup against the Netherlands in the second match of the group stage when Kylian Mbappe was on the bench.

According to L’Equipe, Giroud has applied an additional training regimen to try to achieve the best form and fitness, as the French team is rushing to prepare for the big match against Belgium in the round of 16 of EURO 2024 in Dusseldorf.

With Mbappe wearing a mask, Giroud will likely continue to be on the bench. In recent interviews, the 37-year-old striker admitted that he felt “physically and mentally exhausted”, which is why he decided to leave AC Milan to join Los Angeles FC in the US.

In the past, Giroud was one of the most important links of the French team. Coach Deschamps often arranged Giroud to play the highest position in the attack, mainly playing the role of “decoy” to help Mbappe operate comfortably from the left wing. However, at EURO 2024, Mbappe has moved to the center forward position, while the left wing is taken by Marcus Thuram.