Lothar Matthaus believes Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann hold the key to France's hopes of beating Germany at Euro2016.

The former Germany captain feels the Arsenal striker can again form a deadly duo with Atletico Madrid's Griezmann when the hosts meet the World champions on the semi-final in Marseille.

In his column for the Daily Mirror, Matthaus wrote: "This is a beautiful game. It is a semi-final, full of so many brilliant battles.

"The world champions versus the hosts.

"France are sure to think Germany will be easier to hurt if they have four at the back.

"I'm assuming Germany will play Benedikt Howedes, a natural centre-back, with Jerome Boateng— especially as France striker Antoine Griezmann is able to run off the back of Bastian Schweinsteiger and link with Olivier Giroud.

"But that is why they may stick with the back three they played against Italy— but with Shkodran Mustafi in for the banned Mats Hummels instead of Howedes.

"Giroud loves playing against Germany and he makes Griezmann more dangerous. When Griezmann starts wide he can get into the box.

"But if he is closer to Giroud, he comes alive in the penalty area."

Matthaus added: "It will be decided by how the coaches react to the other team.

"Didier Deschamps knows about the power and speed of Germany.

"France have shown their goal threat but their defence is a problem.

"They need to get the balance between attack and defence right and they haven't done that so far."