A little less than three months before Euro 2024, the French team, deprived for the first time in almost seven years of its talisman Antoine Griezmann, offers itself a life-size test by welcoming, Saturday March 23 (21 hours) in a friendly in Lyon, a distinguished guest: Germany, future host country in the doldrums.
For the first time since June 13, 2017, the France team will have to do without Antoine Griezmann, Didier Deschamps’ “darling” who is out due to injury. After an impressive run of 84 games in a row, the Atlético de Madrid player had to give up and will force “DD” to reshape his midfield somewhat. Alongside the essential Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, the Parisian prodigy Warren Zaïre-Emery (18 years old), scorer for his first cap during the record victory against Gibraltar (14-0) on November 18 in Nice, could once again be established .
Against Germany, the Blues have revenge to take, but not only that. Last September 12 in Dortmund, they experienced their only setback since the 2022 World Cup final, with a 2-1 defeat. Since then, Didier Deschamps has three victories and a draw and is hoping for a performance in “Euro mode” from his men, most of whom, barring injury, are certain to be present in the final list, disclosed in mid-May, and to participate in the continental tournament. “We are coming out of a period of four months without a match, so you will judge, analyze those who scored points, those who did not. There are always lessons to be learned, the situations of certain players can be reversed in a few months”warned the French coach.
- A German team in chaos
Plunged into the middle of a sporting crisis, the Germans, who remained in three unsuccessful matches (two defeats, one draw), arrived in Lyon with an experimental team. Julian Nagelsmann selected six new players for this test match a few months before his home Euro. He has also recalled Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos (34) and left at home 11 players called up in November, including executives like Leon Goretzka, Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle, while the return of Manuel Neuer, injured, have been reported.