The Blues were reassured and so were we. Thanks to the victory Thursday against Austria (2-0), the France team can approach this League of Nations match against Denmark on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) with more serenity. This is the last test for Didier Deschamps and his players before the World Cup in Qatar (20 November – 18 December).
Despite the victory and a decisive Mbappé-Giroud duo, two new injuries have been added to the already very long list of players in the infirmary. Those of Jules Koundé (ischio) and Mike Maignan (calf). Both players are out of the trip to Copenhagen. Steve Mandanda replaces Maignan in goal while Koundé will not be replaced.
Relief
But this victory allows the Blues to breathe a little. First, they narrowly escape relegation to League B in the Nations League, second, it ends a near-black four-game winless streak at the June rally (two draws, two losses). The French team has passed Austria in the standings and is in third place. She will still have to ensure against Denmark to avoid a relegation unworthy of the defending champions.
This victory, which must be confirmed by a similar result in Copenhagen, also makes it possible to calm the climate which has surrounded the selection for several weeks, between injuries, extra-sporting affairs (Pogan, ministerial audit at the Federation) and thorny negotiations on the collective image rights of internationals.
Tactical Success
Will Didier Deschamps repeat his tactical choices against Denmark? He would be well advised to do so as his five-defender system worked last Thursday. DD had left him aside last June, without success. The coach is also confirmed in the choice of men, because faced with a dozen injuries, it was not a foregone conclusion, for example, that Youssouf Fofana would make such an authoritarian first selection in midfield, alongside his former partner in Monaco, Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Another satisfaction, the beautiful complicity between Mbappé and Giroud, in the absence of Karim Benzema. Their association could have even provided more goals if the Parisian had not spoiled a superb one-two with his sidekick in the 26th minute, as well as a few other strikes. For Giroud, with the future still uncertain in Blue as long as Deschamps does not bring himself to call him when Benzema is available, Thierry Henry’s goalscoring record continues to approach.
The Grenoblois, with 49 goals, is only two points away. Will he have the opportunity to register them? This is one of the questions that will weigh on Deschamps in the coming weeks. The group of supporters of the France team, which was celebrating its 12th birthday, would not be opposed to the idea of seeing one of its favorites again… Two months to the day, to challenge Australia at the Qatar for the defense of its title, the French team seems in any case to have regained confidence. A victory against Denmark for his last match before Doha would bring him, in addition, some certainties.