Twelve days before its first Euro match against Austria, the France team began its preparation near Metz. And what could be better than facing your Luxembourgish neighbor to get your legs going. On this occasion, Didier Deschamps chose to field a rather classic eleven, although with a few surprises. Starting with the tenure of the returning N’Golo Kanté. The Al-Ittihad player had not started a match for the Blues since June 2022. A choice not so surprising in the end. With Aurélien Tchouameni’s package for preparation and Eduardo Camavinga having just returned from Madrid, the opportunity was ideal to test the hero of 2018. Finally, DD also chose to give playing time to a ghostly Randal Kolo Muani during the end of the PSG season. As for the neo Merengue Kylian Mbappé, he was indeed present at the kick-off. He who said he was more liberated since the announcement of his future arrival at Real Madrid, Mbappé confirmed that he was in good shape.
Incisive on his left side, the Bondynois sometimes swapped with Marcus Thuram. At the origin of the first two French goal actions (3rd, 5th), the captain of the Blues was also involved in Thuram’s strike (7th) and the post found by Antoine Griezmann (12th). Altruistic and sharp, Mbappé thought he would see all his efforts rewarded with a goal after a one-two with Griezmann. But that was without counting on Moris’s formidable save despite the Frenchman’s point-blank shot (26th). The reward finally came when the French number 10 became a decisive passer for Randal Kolo Muani. Very discreet until then, the Parisian striker burst with a header at the right time to give the Blues the advantage just before the break (1-0, 43rd). A first period marked by the seal of Mbappé, but during which N’Golo Kanté also reassured observers. Back in the selection after two years of absence, the French midfielder was everywhere. Positioned at low point, he masterfully managed the defensive withdrawals and displayed very good mobility.
Mbappé omnipresent
Returning from the locker room, the French domination has logically not weakened. The Luxembourgers only fell back a little further, but the control of Didier Deschamps’ men struggled to be rewarded. The fault lies in big inaccuracies like these off-target shots from Mbappé (47th) and Fofana (56th). However, DD’s coaching move paid off. By choosing to replace Jules Koundé with Jonathan Clauss at half-time, the coach wanted to have a more offensive profile. And it paid off. On a two-handed corner played between Mbappé and Griezmann, Clauss was served on the edge of the area. Off-center on the left side, the right side of Olympique de Marseille then unleashed a magnificent strike which came to lodge under the crossbar of Moris (70th).
2-0, the break was finally made, and in what way. The rest of the match saw Olivier Giroud celebrate his 132nd selection and become the oldest player (37 years and 249 days) to be selected in blue, while Bradley Barcola celebrated his first cap. A first that the Parisian celebrated with dignity by offering a decisive pass to Mbappé (3-0, 85th). A goal which precisely rewards the match of the Bondynois who remained in three consecutive matches in the selection without scoring. Before facing Canada in three days, France reassured itself a little.
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