Big teams in big tournaments are gradually accelerating. They have their own favorite and special foreplay. They look closely, try different options and allow for mistakes. The main objective is to be in the best shape for the decisive matches. And, consequently, decide.
In the group stage of Euro 2024, the French national team, like most other top teams, did not get involved much. Of course, we made it to the playoffs, but there was still something left. 0 goals in the match, the scandalous disallowance of a goal for Mick Maignan in the match against the Netherlands and, in general, working with a minimum of brilliance, almost like the England national team.
France’s lineup is the envy of anyone. Or rather, compositions. The depth of Didier Deschamps’ reserves is approximately the same as that of the oil wells in the homeland of PSG’s owners. There are players for all positions, some faster, others with more texture, right-handed, left-handed. In general, turn around, soul!
His rival Deschamps also has problems
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But the winner is not the one with the most interesting line-ups. And who will choose the best from the range of available players? In previous years, Deschamps has done it. Two World Cup finals, one of which he won. Euro 2016 final on home soil, victory in the Nations League. These are great results. But now, at Euro 2024, there is no certainty that France will be able to add another title or even another final to its treasure trove.
Didier Deschamps needs to take a step forward. First of all, Kylian Mbappé is not in the best condition. With all the brilliance of the French squad, Mbappé is the brightest diamond in attack. He has no equal in his ability to resolve. He certainly doesn’t play alone. Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram are also very important. They are the best procurement specialists. They are the ones who bring the ball to Kilian. But it was he who decided to be the best assassin.
Deschamps was constantly looking for options to make the most of Mbappé’s strength without compromising the team’s actions (even in defense). Previously, Kylian played on the offensive flank, now he plays more often in the center. He had a great connection with Olivier Giroud. He probably still exists now, but more off the field.
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Giroud is not a starter. Why? Deschamps started using Mbappé more often, not on the flank, but in the centre, where Olivier used to play. And Giroud, as young as he is, will soon be 38. Perhaps, by deciding to move to MLS, Olivier indirectly recognises that his best years are behind him. He came on as a substitute at this Euro, but if you don’t open the match reports, you might not even remember him. On the pitch, Giroud was completely invisible.
Mbappé’s new position and Giroud’s ageing have meant that France has lost an important segment of its previously well-functioning attack. Deschamps has another great striker in Marcus Thuram. But he has not yet been given the role of Giroux in its purest form. Thuram is positioned in support of Mbappé, but not in the centre, but on the flank. Kilian himself is often in the centre. They constantly change as the matches progress, but the main thing is that Thuram does not play like Giroud. And it is not yet possible to replace Olivier in terms of efficiency and level of “chemistry” with Mbappé.
Furthermore, Mbappé broke his nose in the match against Austria. He came back very quickly, he even scored against Poland, his mask didn’t hurt. However, this injury is unlikely to strengthen Kilian. On the contrary, it is discomfort.
Masquerade of the highest category.
Classification
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There is no doubt that Deschamps is counting on Mbappé, as always. But what if Kilian doesn’t work out? What if the mask and other effects of the injury prevent him from producing the quality expected of him? Yes, he was brilliant in the game against Poland. However, there is a suspicion that France will have more serious rivals in the playoffs. First there is Belgium, which is not yet impressive. But Portugal may already be in the quarter-finals. To be fair, it is not impressive yet either. However, the class of Portuguese performers is very high. Certainly higher than that of Poland and the current Belgium.
Does Deschamps have a plan B in attack? Is there an option, if necessary, to take the lead from Mbappé and attack the opponent in other ways? It is clear that France have top-class players in attack. They can always resolve the situation. But, as a rule, in the decisive stages of major tournaments, such as the European Championship, the class of the participants alone is not enough. I need ideas. The coach must be involved. And it will be very interesting to see if Didier Deschamps comes up with something new.
France also has problems with the center of defense. In 2018, the defense took the form of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti. In 2022, Varan brand concrete remained, but a new additive was added: Deotshankylä Yupamekano. And it turned out well too. It was enough for him to reach the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final.
The French national team before the 2022 World Cup final
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
After the defeat to Argentina, Varane left the national team. Since then, France has not had concrete in the centre of its defence. There was speculation that William Saliba would become the new Varan. But he has not yet done so; he does not play that often. Deschamps tried different options, before the start of the Euros he decided on the Saliba-Yupamecano pairing. And in all three group matches, doubts arose about the centre of the French defence.
Among the alternatives is Benjamin Pavard. He can play in the center, but not in a pair, but in three. However, it seems that Deschamps has no intention of changing the scheme. There is also Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate. This, unlike Pavard, is a specialist central defender who plays in a two-man team at the club. However, he still has not trusted himself for a single minute in the Euro Cup. And this is strange, considering that Saliba and Yupamecano did not impress in either match.
For teams of France’s calibre and ambitions, the group stage is a chance to try something, to fix things and fix them if necessary. But Deschamps didn’t try anyone other than Salib and Yupamecano in central defence. Perhaps he hoped to “play” them so they would interact better in the playoffs. But the truth is that in the playoffs there will be no time to correct mistakes if they arise. There will be no second chance, as in the group. So if France continues to struggle at the back, Deschamps will definitely be remembered for Konate, Pavard and the defenders he didn’t pick.
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Didier Deschamps has plenty of experience in the national team. Even in major tournaments. But perhaps the current Euros will require more mental effort than ever from Didier.
As always, it has a great poster. From a wide variety of options, he chose the one he needed. However, in the case of the defense center there are still doubts. And in the case of the attack and specifically with Mbappé, force majeure intervened. For which, however, you must always be prepared. Especially when you have such an unlimited reserve. So it’s your turn, Mr. Deschamps!
Otherwise, Belgium could present a surprise.
