The qualifying course and the group
The French team did not need to exert its talent to qualify for Euro 2024. Fallen with the Netherlands, which they will also find in the group stage, Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar, the reigning world vice-champions, largely dominated their group, with 4 points ahead of the Oranje. Didier Deschamps’ men did not go far from flawless with 7 victories and a draw against the Greeks (2-2) on the last day, while qualification was already assured. They even scored a few cards like this inaugural 4-0 over the Dutch and this 14-0 last November in Nice against Gibraltar. It’s quite simply a record score in the history of the Blues. If the brand enters the history books, this does not mean that it guarantees a good performance at the Euro where the Tricolores will also face Austria and Poland.
Qualities and weaknesses
Led by their captain Kylian Mbappé, who will officiate in this role for the first time in a tournament, France is one of the two or three favorite nations in this competition along with England and Germany. In addition to its almost perfect qualifying campaign, the Blues reached the World Cup final in the last major competition, simply beaten on penalties by Messi’s Argentina in the final. We can count on this team to be there in a major tournament where it has never disappointed since the arrival of Didier Deschamps on the bench, except for this elimination, also on penalties, from the round of 16 during of the last Euro against Switzerland. It has top players on all lines (if not all positions) and a bench depth that would make all of its competitors pale in comparison.
Except that having the label of favorite has never been enough to win an international competition. A few clouds have been gathering over the heads of the Blues for several weeks. The last matches of March were not convincing. On the contrary, since the defeat against Germany with a typical team highlighted certain limits, without the master of play Antoine Griezmann. Some elements did not take advantage of the time available like Jules Koundé, Marcus Thuram or Dayot Upamecano. The performances of certain club executives are not convincing either, like Kylian Mbappé but also Theo Hernandez or Ibrahima Konaté. Lucas Hernandez is out after rupturing his cruciate ligament, like during the last World Cup, while Coman and Tchouaméni are uncertain. Paradoxically, Deschamps lacks certainty regarding certain cases (Pavard, Camavinga, Giroud).
The coach: Didier Deschamps
He perfectly embodies this French team that he has led for 12 years now. At the dawn of his 6th international tournament, the coach has all the qualities required for the position: experience, charisma, adaptability, thirst to win. He always places the collective at the center of the project, even if it means doing without strong individuals (Ribéry, Nasri, Benzema have all been there). Deschamps is always measured, never too enthusiastic when the lights are green, never alarmist either when things are going badly. It is his great strength to know how to be alert at all times, in addition to making victory his ultimate goal, no matter the cost. Sometimes criticized for the Blues’ play which is not always attractive, he responds with the scoreboard. Finally, the man under contract with the FFF until 2026 has other rare abilities, those of constantly questioning himself and never letting go of his players in the open countryside.
The star: Kylian Mbappé
Who else ? He is the best representative of this French team, at the top of the world elite since his arrival in the group in 2017. At 25 years old and with his 78 selections (already) for 47 goals, he enters what must to be the best phase of his career. The striker also recovered the captain’s armband left by Hugo Lloris after the last World Cup. He was preferred to Antoine Griezmann, more experienced, but already supplanted by what Mbappé represents in the eyes of his teammates and the media sphere. In this new role, the one who ends his contract at PSG in June will be expected in Germany. It is he who must lead the Blues to the European coronation. With a victory, he could even open the doors to the Ballon d’Or. But his last months in the capital leave a taste of unfinished business, even worrying. Despite his goals, he has had too many disappointing performances. There is reason to ask questions about its form.
The attraction: Warren Zaire-Emery
With the departure of Kylian Mbappé from PSG, the young midfielder intends to gain greater weight in his club, where he has just extended until 2029. Child from the Paris region (he was born in Montreuil and grew up in Romainville) and the training center, he embodies the next generation after revealing himself to the world this season. Used sparingly by Christophe Galtier, the midfielder was immediately part of Luis Enrique’s squad, playing 41 matches this season (3 goals and 7 assists) and offering some notable performances as during the last day of the group stage of C1 in Dortmund. Called up for the first time in November for the Blues, Zaire-Emery became at 17 years and 255 days the youngest international since 1914. It was well worth a goal… and an injury for his first against Gibraltar. His second part of the season was complicated to digest but he will definitely have his place in Didier Deschamps’ rotation at the Euro.
The French calendar:
-
Austria – France: Monday June 17 at 9 p.m. at the Düsseldorf Arena
-
Netherlands – France: Friday June 21 at 9 p.m. at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig
-
France – Poland: Tuesday June 25 at 6 p.m. at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund
The list of 25 players:
Guardians: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens), Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
Defenders: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jonathan Clauss (OM), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) )
Environments : Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), N’Golo Kanté (Al-ittihad )
Attackers: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)
