When facing the eighth of the European Championship against an approachable rival like Switzerland, France relies on its first place in the ‘group of death’ and on the awakening of Karim Benzema’s scorer, but doubts assail him, especially for him tiredness and injuries.
Cold head
France survived the ‘group of death’ with a first place against two heavyweights from the continent, Germany and Portugal, as well as a willful Hungary who played two of their games in front of their noisy crowd.
The Bleus struck first in Munich (1-0), suffered and leveled against Hungary (1-1) and again found the exit against Portugal (2-2), current European champions, despite the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo opened the marker.
“We have had three different games, of high intensity, we have not done everything well, but the mentality is there,” summed up the coach, Didier Deschamps.
Jules Koundé, who made his debut as a starter against Portugal on Wednesday at the age of 22, highlighted “a positive balance.”
“We are convinced that things can be improved, but we are a difficult team to maneuver, difficult to play and that is why we are undefeated,” added the Sevilla defender.
The return of ‘Benzegol’
With a double, Benzema freed the French team from a great weight, after four games touching the goal, but without scoring. “Everyone was expecting this goal after six years of waiting, but I am a player used to having all the pressure,” said the Real Madrid forward, chosen player of the match.
Following his surprise return and the enthusiasm of the country, Benzema had missed a penalty against Wales and then injured himself against Bulgaria in preparation. Already in the European Championship he suffered a goal annulled against Germany and played a frustrating match against Hungary, missing a clear chance.
“It is clear that there is other pressure than in a club because there is a whole country, but I motivate myself every time to give more,” added the forward.
As a show of his stripes, he kept the ball from the penalty that he threw and transformed on Wednesday, without even talking about it with his teammates.
Tiredness and injuries
France finished the group stage very tired, after two very hot games in Budapest. “We have spent a lot physically,” acknowledged central Raphael Varane.
In addition, there are the players touched, with special concern on the left side. Starter Lucas Hernandez came out at halftime Wednesday with a knee injury. And his replacement Lucas Digne also had to be changed, due to a muscle injury.
“It will be very difficult,” Deschamps said of injuries in this position. After the game against Hungary he lost Ousmane Dembele, seriously injured and who left the camp.
In the second round Deschamps will have to have imagination to find a left back. It could be a right-hander (Léo Dubois, Benjamin Pavard or Koundé) or medium Adrien Rabiot, who occupied this position on Wednesday after Digne’s injury. Starting center-back Presnel Kimpembe could also list.
Finally there is another solution: a defense of three, a scheme that Deschamps has already tried.
Lack of control
The first rounds were never a piece of cake in the ‘Deschamps era’, but the general impression left by the Bleus is that they are one point behind other candidates such as Italy, Belgium or the Netherlands, although these three powers played in less demanding groups.
Three defensive errors have cost him three goals: Benjamin Pavard against Hungary and Hugo Lloris’ penalties, which could cost him an expulsion after hitting Danilo Pereira with his fist, and Koundé, by hand.
The offensive triangle that threatened to shake the Euro, with Benzema, Mbappé and Griezmann, leaves details but for now it is not decisive. The only goal in play was signed by Benzema after a great pass from Paul Pogba.
“You have to add automatisms to do more damage,” said Koundé. Switzerland is a good adversary to move from words to deeds. AFP. (JL).
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