Mbappé released, Kanté radiant, Thuram transparent… The notes of the Blues

For his return to the French team after two years of absence, N’Golo Kanté reassured about his level on Wednesday.

Large winners of Luxembourg (3-0), modest 87th nation in the world in the FIFA rankings, the Blues gained confidence on Wednesday June 5, on the lawn of the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz. This performance, serious and diligent if not brilliant, does not yet remove all doubts, but provides some answers, particularly on the form of N’Golo Kanté and Kylian Mbappé.

After several complicated weeks with PSG, the new Real Madrid player appeared released. Coming into play for his first selection, Bradley Barcola scored points, as did Youssouf Fofana. For his return to blue after two years of absence, N’Golo Kanté also convinced, faithful to the memory of the tireless midfielder that he left before his departure for Saudi Arabia.

Mike Maignan: 5/10

It’s difficult to rate a goalkeeper when he literally has nothing to do. No saves to make for the AC Milan goalkeeper, saved by his bar on the only dangerous opponent’s strike and very little use on the foot, as the tricolor block was high on the pitch. We will have to wait a little longer to find out if “Magic Mike” has regained his level, after a season marked by injuries.

Jules Koundé: 5.5/10

In an unnatural right-back role for him, the trained central defender did the job again. Applied defensively, he was instructed not to plan too much offensively to participate in the recovery, and did so well. Which did not prevent the former Bordeaux player from going up a few times and adjusting several interesting crosses. Replaced by Benjamin Pavard (63rd).

Ibrahima Konaté: 5/10

Like his goalkeeper, the Liverpool defender did not have much to do. And in the little he had to manage, he didn’t miss anything, even if we would have liked a little more initiative in the recovery. A task that he left to Dayot Upamecano first, and then to William Saliba.

Dayot Upamecano: 5.5/10

Aligned right axis in the tricolor hinge, the central defender of Bayern Munich spent only 45 minutes on the pitch, without making a mistake. Diligent in his defensive interventions, he signed some well-made interceptions followed by interesting openings. After a slight injury to his thigh, he preferred not to take any risks. Replaced by William Saliba (46th).

Théo Hernandez: 6.5/10

In the first half, it was the Frenchman who touched the most balls. Untenable in his left lane, he took advantage of the spaces to rush in behind and constantly destabilize the Luxembourg defense. His understanding with Kylian Mbappé still wreaked havoc, even if an oversight on his part caused Luxembourg’s only (small) opportunity in the first act. Replaced by Jonathan Clauss (46th), author of a sumptuous goal.

N’Golo Kanté: 7/10

It had been two years since the 2018 world champion last wore the blue jersey and it wasn’t visible at all. From the outset, the number 13 of the Blues resumed his good habits, as if he had never left the team. His sense of anticipation still wreaks havoc and the former Chelsea player still knows how to throw the ball at his feet or create offensive mismatches thanks to his sense of passing, like on the first French goal. Replaced by Warren Zaire-Emery (63rd).

Youssouf Fofana: 5.5/10

In the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, the Monegasque was lined up alongside N’Golo Kanté in front of the French defense. At first shy and especially diligent defensively, the Monegasque gradually warmed up, taking more risks in his passes without sacrificing his defensive prowess. If they were not on target, his long shots created danger at a time when the Blues were slipping. Replaced by Eduardo Camavinga (89th).

Antoine Griezmann: 4.5/10

Facing the low Luxembourg block, he was instructed to play higher than expected, as a fourth attacker behind Marcus Thuram. This allowed him to obtain several clear, unconverted opportunities, such as this shot on the post in the first period on a pass from Kylian Mbappé. But, in the game, he was not as radiant as usual with the Blues and sometimes disappeared from the meeting. Replaced by Olivier Giroud (81st).

Randal Kolo Muani: 6/10

In difficulty at PSG this season, the striker took advantage of his return to blue to score and regain confidence, like in March. However, he was aligned in a default role of right winger, in which he made some differences, even if it was in the center forward position that he opened the scoring with his header.

Marcus Thuram: 3.5/10

In his long-distance duel with Olivier Giroud, the number 9 in the evening did not score many points at the forefront of the French attack. His permutations with Kylian Mbappé mainly benefited the captain of the Blues, even if Marcus Thuram was not stingy with his defensive efforts. It will take more to establish himself as a starter. Replaced by Bradley Barcola (81st)passer for Mbappé for his first selection.

Kylian Mbappé: 8/10

Very active on the front of the French attack, he posed constant problems for the opposing defense, through his dribbling, his calls or his passes, like his decisive cross on Kolo Muani’s goal. Altruistic, lively and restless, the new Real Madrid player seemed liberated. Paradoxically, it was when he started to fade that he scored, on a service from Bradley Barcola.