France and Ukraine drew 1 everywhere this Wednesday evening for this first match of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The last three France-Ukraine were separate matches. Historical, even. In November 2013, after a catastrophic match in the first leg in Kiev (2-0), the Blues had almost never seen the World Cup in Brazil if Mamadou Sakho, inhabited by the spirit of Lilian Thuram against Croatia in 1998 , had not dragged his shin to score a decisive double (3-0 victory). The swaying celebration of the central defender is still in everyone’s mind. A comeback that had definitively launched the Didier Deschamps era with the Blues, started in 2012.
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Seven years later, in October 2020, nothing to see. France is the reigning world champion, favorite for the Euro and atomizes the men of Andrei Shevchenko 7-1, guided by an Olivier Giroud of the great evenings. The former Montpellier, captain for his 100th selection, scored his 41st and 42nd goals, ahead of the icon Michel Platini at the top of the scorers’ standings. “DD” even afforded the luxury of launching young people (Camavinga, Upamecano, Aouar).
Solid Ukrainian block
Well last night, this France-Ukraine did not live up to its predecessors. However, there was no question for Deschamps to carry out tests, but to send the heavy artillery to start this qualifying phase for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 (November 18 – December 16). Opposite, Ukraine, barely more inspired offensively than six months earlier, preferred to concrete the defensive block with five players to muzzle the Coman and Mbappé mopeds. It was also the Bayern Munich striker who lit the first firecrackers on his right side, often supported by Benjamin Pavard.
A jewel and then that’s it
A 100% Bavarian right side on which the teammates of Hugo Lloris insisted a lot, and which allowed Antoine Griezmann to blow the yellow lock (1-0, 19th) with a splendid wound with the left foot in the small opposite net of a helpless Bushchan. A jewel. The 34th goal of the Barcelona career in Blue, joining David Trézeguet in the scorers standings.
In the first period, the French tried, provoked, without ever succeeding in creating clear chances, except those of Olivier Giroud in the first period. The Chelsea striker even missed the inevitable (11) on a caviar from Hernandez, then saw his head passed just above a center from Pavard (32).
The following ? Not much. Boredom itself. The meeting was more animated the missed passes, crosses in the void or amorphous attacks, unusual for players of this caliber, than the flights of the offensive armada of the Blues. The Ukrainians, for their part, carried out their plan to perfection. That the “Grizou” gang has never managed to outsmart. Can, must, do better.
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