In Portugal against Gibraltar, the France team did the job by winning the three points (3-0). But above all, she had to evolve in a particular context, which could continue until the match against Greece on Monday.
“We will retain the essential: the three points. After the victory against the very modest team of Gibraltar (3-0), Friday June 16, Brice Samba, his teammates from the France team and the coach were not exulted. A success by three goals, of course, but Didier Deschamps judged that his team “could and should have scored more goals“.”The goal was to win, to do the job.”therefore repeated the coach.
No big lesson will be drawn from this big victory, as logical as expected. We will especially remember this strange atmosphere, closer to that of second-class matches than an evening of international football. Sparse stands, a sluggish pace on the meadow, a lawn unworthy of a qualifying match for Euro 2024… Many unusual parameters interfered in this match which had to be played in Portugal, in Faro, for lack of infrastructures approved in Gibraltar.
The Llanis again played their match 400 kilometers from home and the atmosphere in the stands suffered from a very clear lack of fervor. 1,300 French supporters were present but could not break away from this impression of a friendly match, when the clubs are preparing for their coming season. Far from the usual canons of major international matches. We even saw Kylian Mbappé, at half-time, give his jersey to a young supporter in the stands, a practice reserved for the end of a meeting.
“I will be satisfied with what we have done and think about Monday”
Mbappé, precisely, there has been a lot of talk in recent days. The new emerging soap opera between him and Paris Saint-Germain, which could animate the section of the transfer market throughout the summer, has vampirized the news of the France team. And this, even when the match against Gibraltar was approaching. After his press conference on Thursday, where he appeared annoyed by the many questions from journalists about his future at PSG, we expected a reaction from the captain of France.
He finally missed his match, despite his goal from the penalty spot. Rare thing for Mbappé, who had already been below against Ireland in March (1-0). But this time, it is more his lack of implication on certain sequences which surprised. A feeling finally generalized within a team made up of players whose season was long and ended several weeks ago.
“I will be satisfied with what we have done and think about Monday”, therefore preferred to retain Deschamps. A speech far from rave for his players despite the victory, which suggests that the coach expected more from them. Between now and Monday and the match against Greece, the news will perhaps be less centered on Mbappé, but the conclusion will be the same: the players have never been so close to the holidays and they will have to make a last effort before leaving. think about it.
For all the players in the meeting, it was necessary to quickly close the page on Friday evening. A feeling shared up to the stewards, who hastened to close the enclosure as soon as possible. For the Blues, strongly the return to the Stade de France, Monday against Greece. The atmosphere will be completely different, but in the staff of the France team we are already praying that the lawn will not be too scratched by the final of the Top 14, which is played on Saturday evening in the lair of Saint-Denis. “I pray for the lawn. I count on the gardeners, they will do their best. But there are only 48 hours”, insisted Deschamps, worried. The stands will be full for the last match of the Blues before September 7.