Nine months before the Euro, the defeat in Germany on Tuesday (1-2) demonstrated that the Blues’ plan B is not yet ready. A team of starters already seems to stand out.
Nine months before a Euro that the French team is almost guaranteed to play, is it already possible to guess the eleven names that Didier Deschamps will line up for the first match? The difference in level between the victory against Ireland (2-0), last Thursday at the Parc des Princes, and the defeat against Germany (1-2), Tuesday in Dortmund, suggests this. The coach made six changes in the starting eleven to face Nationalef.
The opportunity for the players concerned to show themselves was not taken and some may regret it. Deschamps did not seek to excuse his players, evoking a “catastrophic start to the match”, but qualified by citing the change of system and the lack of automation. Beyond a tactical plan B to be refined, the entrants have not convinced, to the point that a hierarchy seems to emerge at (almost) all positions.
In defense, almost no doubt
Against Germany, the three defenders – Benjamin Pavard, Jean-Clair Todibo and William Saliba – who entered the eleven, showed significant shortcomings. The first, at fault on Thomas Müller’s goal, missed his match and left too much space behind him in this full-back position. Jules Koundé, who takes few risks in the right lane, today seems much more reliable than him.
Jean-Clair Todibo missed the opportunity to show off for his debut in Blue. “I am honored by this first selection but I will have a bitter taste because there is the defeat and the second goal is clearly for me”, conceded the Nice defender on TF1. At his side, William Saliba did not provide much more reassurance. Very solid with Arsenal, the Gunner is still looking for a reference match in the French team.
“It wasn’t ideal, they had never played together, but they have to go through it.”, underlined Deschamps after the meeting. For the coach, the Dayot Upamecano-Ibrahima Konaté hinge is the strongest. Lucas Hernandez, who started in central defense alongside Upamecano against Ireland, could have to compete with his brother Théo for the left-back position, in which he seems essential for the moment.
In the middle, Tchouameni scored points
Already huge against Ireland last Thursday, with a goal scored, Aurélien Tchouameni was by far the best Frenchman against Germany in Dortmund. In difficulty at the end of last season with Real Madrid, while his club and national teammate Eduardo Camavinga was shining there, Tchouameni is back on track. When he is at the level shown in the last two matches, he seems unstoppable in midfield.
Camavinga, who could hope to benefit from the less well of Tchouameni, did not shine against Germany. He will have to make the most of every minute in Blue in the coming months to hope to secure a starting place in midfield. Because Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann are two other indisputable players in Deschamps’ game plan. The first to regulate and cover Hernandez’s climbs. The second to organize the tricolor game.
Behind, the vagueness persists. Youssouf Fofana, who came on at the end of the match against Germany, has only played 36 minutes with the Blues since March. Boubacar Kamara was held in the last two rallies without coming into play, in four matches. Didier Deschamps, who explained yesterday that his replacements have “need play time”will have to find certainties in this sector of the game, in the event of an injury to its executives.
In attack, a blur on the right flank
Between Ousmane Dembélé and Kingsley Coman, who to choose? The wingers of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich demonstrated, against Ireland and Germany respectively, their ability to destabilize opposing defenders. But also their lack of efficiency in the last gesture. The two still have nine months and eight matches to get through it before the Euro. Because the other two positions seem promised to Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud.
The Blues captain remained on the bench against Germany due to a patella tendon problem – “nothing serious“, according to Deschamps – and it showed. As for Giroud, his absence should have allowed Randal Kolo Muani to show himself. The neo-Parisian had a lot of trouble putting himself in the spotlight. “Kolo was returning to competition. It’s been more than 15 days without a match, a week without training. He’s not in top form.”qualified the coach.
His performances at PSG in the coming weeks will be closely scrutinized, while in recent months, he has established himself as the natural successor to Giroud at the center forward position. Beyond his self-confidence, praised by the coach and which surprised when he arrived with the Blues, he will also have to achieve a benchmark match in the France team as a starter. Marcus Thuram scored his first goal for selection against Ireland, but should remain a support player supposed to bring impact when coming into play.