On October 10, 2021, France received the UEFA Nations League on the San Siro in opposition to Spain. Les Bleus had been again on their ft after the catastrophe of the 2020 European Championship, the place Switzerland knocked them out within the spherical of 16.
Nevertheless, the enjoyment was short-lived and the shadow of doubt as soon as once more fell over coach Didier Deschamps, who’s below scrutiny for his workforce’s latest outcomes.
Whereas it’s true that France accomplished the qualifiers for Qatar as anticipated, with a convincing efficiency and 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan, and achieved good ends in the next friendlies, the issues reappeared within the Nations League.
Defeats in opposition to Denmark and Croatia had been adopted by a win in opposition to Austria which prevented relegation to League B for France, who recorded one win, two attracts and three defeats. However, what is occurring to Les Blues?
“There are groups that win and others that lose, however there are additionally nice groups that lose,” mentioned Deschamps.
“So we do not assume we’re higher than the others, however we should struggle.”
Kylian Mbappe’s taking part in time
The Paris Saint-Germain ahead is being requested to hold the French nationwide workforce on his shoulders. Mbappe did not begin within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Croatia in Zagreb, however he has performed the total 90 minutes within the different three video games.
“I do know [PSG coach Christophe Galtier] nonetheless needs Kylian to play,” added Deschamps.
“However every so often, he wants to have the ability to breathe a little bit bit.
“He must play much less minutes. It will not damage him, fairly the other.”
Towards Austria, Mbappe got here to the rescue and scored the equaliser in Vienna. He additionally netted in opposition to them in Saint-Denis final Thursday however he did not rating in opposition to Denmark or Croatia and France have not received a sport through which Mbappe did not discover the again of the web.
In Deschamps’ present 3-4-1-2 formation, Mbappe’s function appears clear, as he enjoys absolute freedom upfront alongside Benzema, who missed out on this break via damage.
Benzema lacking and a protracted listing of accidents
Whereas France appeared to have ‘woken up’ from their lethargy within the first sport of this break in opposition to Austria, the match in Copenhagen introduced the ghosts again.
The trident of Antoine Griezmann, Mbappe and Olivier Giroud labored in opposition to Austria, however Benzema‘s absence was notable in Denmark.
“Tonight we had a style of the truth that awaits us in two months’ time,” Deschamps famous.
“We should not fear, as we’ll handle to get again all or a lot of the gamers with a whole lot of worldwide expertise.”
The Actual Madrid striker just isn’t France’s solely absentee, with the listing together with Hugo Lloris, N’Golo Kante, Theo Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Kinsley Coman and Lucas Digne in addition to, Jules Kounde and Mike Maignan who suffered from accidents this previous weekend.
In the hunt for a brand new midfield
The absences of Kante and Paul Pogba have reshaped France’s midfield, with Actual Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga taking on the reins in the course of the break.
Though they gave a constructive impression in opposition to Austria, they had been unable to impose themselves on the Parken.
“He did some issues that I do not need to see once more, he is aware of that,” Deschamps mentioned of Camavinga’s efficiency in opposition to Denmark.
Denmark’s excessive stress brought about issues for Deschamps’ workforce, who struggled to construct from the again.
Doubts in defence
Deschamps’ 3-4-1-2 formation offers prominence to the wingers, however with out Theo Hernandez, Les Bleus have an issue.
The AC Milan participant is by far probably the most attacking fullback France have, as Benjamin Pavard and Ferland Mendy struggled in possession.
Then there’s the center of the backline. Whereas it’s true that France have produced high stage centre-backs, Deschamps cannot discover the precise beginning trident.
A complete of eight totally different centre-backs have performed for France in 2022 together with Raphael Varane, William Saliba, Kounde, Kimpembe, Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Hernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Dayot Upamecano.
Of those eight gamers, Varane and Saliba have performed probably the most with 4 video games every, adopted by Kounde and Kimpbembe (three apiece).
In the meantime, health shall be a key consider deciding who will get the nod in defence, however in the intervening time rotation had led to inconsistency, as France have conceded seven objectives in six Nations League video games.