For 180 minutes in Germany, the 2018 world champions have stored two clear sheets and never scored a aim, a shock given their attacking energy
The French coach Didier Deschamps He has the defensive energy he needs, however not but the offensive effectivity.
After two video games of the Euro 2024, the French staff might be not the place we anticipated. With the assault energy of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Antoine Griezmann, Marcus Thuram, Kingsley Coman y/o Olivier Giroud, Les Bleus have unimaginable expertise, selection and depth. Scoring was not a priority coming into this match.
Antoine Griezmann complains to France in regards to the Euro 2024 AP Picture/Antonio Calanni
Nevertheless, conceding targets appeared just a little extra problematic. Chile, Germany and Greece They scored two targets towards France within the two worldwide breaks previous to this match. Deschamps knew that to win the Euro Cup, 40 years after the era of Michael Platini and 24 after his, he needed to remedy these defensive issues. The issue is that by doing so he has misplaced some effectiveness in assault.
For 180 minutes in Germany, the 2018 world champions have stored two clear sheets and failed to attain a aim, a shock given their attacking energy. Austrian Maximilian Wöber’s personal aim is the one time the ball has gone into the again of the online throughout a French match thus far. Towards Austria, Mbappé and firm took 14 pictures and waited, however solely outscored their opponents to win 1-0.
Towards the Netherlands on Friday, they made 15 makes an attempt. They’ve missed nice alternatives. Certainly one of Mbappétwo of Griezmann and one other of Thuram. France has reached three of the final 4 main match finals as a result of they’ve been relentless on each ends of the court docket. Environment friendly, scientific, unbeatable. Proper now they’re doing it, however solely on one facet, theirs.
Deschamps He recalled earlier than the beginning of the competitors that to win this Euro you want solidity and defensive energy. And he speaks from expertise. Deschamps gained the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 Euro Cup because the participant with the perfect protection on this planet. He gained the 2018 World Cup as a coach with the perfect protection on this planet.
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To grow to be an unbreakable wall once more, he used previous techniques with new personnel: the defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante – I am Not Afraid (Official Music Video) in entrance of the 4 defenders and an asymmetrical 4-4-2 formation. The tactical system is a recycled model of 2018: Adrien Rabiot performs the position of Blaise Matuidi within the heart of the left subject, Dembele’s replaces Mbappé On the appropriate wing, Griezmann performs as a second striker as in 2018 and Aurélien Tchouameni is the brand new Paul Pogba. Rabiot can guarantee stability within the midfield whereas Dembélé assaults.
Griezmann could be in all places, “the extra he touches the ball, the higher,” he stated Deschamps after the sport and Mbappé, when he returns from his damaged nostril, he may have no defensive duties and may have plenty of freedom to assault. However probably the most optimistic factor on a defensive stage has been the arrival of William Saliba to the staff. The Arsenal centre-back, the perfect within the Premier League Final season, he had by no means began in a significant match.
In two video games he confirmed how nice he’s. His affiliation with Dayot Upamecano It has been unbelievable. It makes this staff extra stable, as we noticed towards the Dutch, the place the French gave them nothing, no alternatives, barely any transitions and no hope.
“As within the first recreation, we had been stable defensively, even with higher stress,” he stated. Griezmann after the sport. “Defensively we’re very compact. The defenders and midfielders are doing a terrific job. We do not give something to the opponent.”
And what about efficiency and technique in assault? “Our lack of effectivity is irritating however not alarming. We’ve got to enhance by way of scoring targets and being killers,” he added.
The entrance Olivier Giroud He additionally expressed his opinion on the imperfection between assault and protection whereas France prepares to face Poland in a vital match on Tuesday.
“Our protection is a good asset. It needs to be. However it may’t be on the detriment of our assault. We created alternatives and I’d be extra anxious if we hadn’t,” he stated.
Whereas we wait to see if a Mbappé masked will face the Poles once more, Deschamps sees the glass nonetheless half full.
“I’m happy with the 2 performances carried out thus far,” he stated. “There are numerous optimistic issues, however we’ve got been disenchanted in our ending. And when you do not rating, you may’t win video games.”
