Despite Karim Benzema’s opener, the Blues were overthrown by Denmark (1-2), Friday, June 3, in their first match in the League of Nations. Everything is not to throw away in this defeat, but the French posted uneven performances. Franceinfo: sport delivers its notebook.
Hugo Lloris: 6/10
The goalkeeper of the Blues was attentive on the only ball to negotiate in the first act (42nd). Abandoned by his defenders on the first goal, Lloris was decisive on a heavy strike from Skov Olsen (71st). He quickly lay down to stop a close-range shot from Eriksen (86th). Not helped by his defense, he was powerless on the heavy victorious strike from Cornelius (88th).
Theo Hernandez: 3/10
Offensively, his incessant climbs did not have the desired effect, despite several good crosses. Always available, he spent himself without counting. And on arrival, his lucidity may have failed him on the two goals from Cornelius, where he made two fatal alignment errors. Not reactive enough, either, on an opportunity from Eriksen.
Lucas Hernández: 4/10
The Bavarian is getting used to this role of central left. He projected himself less than Koundé. Little used, he was initially serene. But on the first goal, even if the fault is shared with his brother, he does not follow Cornelius. Like his comrades in the rearguard, less serene after Varane’s injury.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
This evening could have been very quiet for the Mancunian, little in demand. He did intervene as a last resort on rare opposing counter-attacks (43rd, 49th). But Varane injured his left thigh on a harmless back pass (60th). The Danish revival is undoubtedly no stranger to its release. He was replaced by William Saliba, skilful in the air but totally overwhelmed on Cornelius’ second goal (88th).
Jules Kounde: 4/10
He played in a hybrid role of centre-back without the ball and right-back with the ball. Picked cold from the start, it does not follow Joakim Maehle on the Danish post (3rd). He was again overtaken by the side of Atalanta (43rd), without consequence. Rather safe thereafter, his offensive projections did not succeed, despite a good center (90th). Replaced by Moussa Diaby (90th+1).
Kingsley Coman: 3/10
Sometimes used as a piston at Bayern, Coman takes his marks in this position which is not his. We saw him less overall than his counterpart Theo Hernandez. Well muzzled by Maelhe. His few defensive oversights were not detrimental. He was replaced by Jonathan Clauss (90th + 1), whose heavy strike did not hit the mark (90th + 6).
N’Golo Kante: 6/10
We first saw it in projection on the right side. He delivered two good crosses to Benzema, which could have turned into assists (12th, 47th). Spared this season by Thomas Tuchel, Kanté was one of the freshest French people on Friday evening. He cut several Danish counterattacks and could have been the hero of the evening. But his powerful coiled right hit the post (80th).
Aurelien Tchouameni: 5/10
Authoritative in the middle of the field, the Monegasque scratched several balloons in the first act. A small alert on his ankle (48th), without consequence. He took responsibility on a shot above (55th). Tchouaméni is progressing, but his midfield slump coincided with the Danish awakening. He does not go up quickly enough on Hojbjerg, decisive passer on the first goal.
Antoine Griezmann: 4/10
Apart from a very distant but on target strike (9th), Griezmann did not weigh. A good opening for Benzema (13th), a free kick above (73rd), but between the two, the Colchonero died out. He tried, but he too is dulled by this long season. He did not take the game on his own and lost five of his six duels. Replaced by Adrien Rabiot (77th).
Kylian Mbappe: 3/10
A good stint with Karim Benzema, even if the goal was denied to Madrid (15th) for offside. Not sharp enough on a curled shot at the entrance to the area (30th). Discreet, it did not weigh against the low Danish block. Mbappé did not succeed in any dribble, won any duel and finished with eight loose balls. Slightly hit in the knee, he was replaced at the break by Christopher Nkunku (6/10). The Leipzig player immediately distinguished himself with a superb relay on the goal of Benzema (51st). Stirring thereafter, as evidenced by a shot on target (82nd).
Karim Benzema: 7/10
A week after his goal was disallowed in the C1 final, we thought history was repeating itself after a nice exchange with Mbappé (15th). He caught up with an excellent stint from Nkunku, not without eliminating three Danes (50th). Frustrated by Schmeichel (47th) and countered by a defender after – already – a technical festival (12th). Not much to reproach the Madrilenian, always constant in the effort.