The French team is refining its automatisms with brilliance. Facing Paraguay last week, the Bleuets had perfectly started their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by offering themselves a clear victory (4-1) in Bayonne. At the Mayol stadium in Toulon this time, the French supporters who made the trip to attend the continuation of the adventures of Thierry Henry’s flock were not disappointed by the trip since they were able to enjoy the festival offered by Alexandre Lacazette’s partners. Facing the Dominican Republic, a selection also invited to the Olympic tournament in two weeks, the French U23 team did not hold back by outclassing its opponent by a river score of 7 goals to 0.
While the French rearguard did not need to force its talent to thwart a Dominican selection limited to the front posts, the Bleuets above all demonstrated realism by delivering an almost perfect copy on the offensive level, like Alexandre Lacazette, with a nice double, but especially Michael Olise. Author of an encouraging performance against Paraguay, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder left his mark on the match against the Dominican Republic by displaying his technical qualities. Positioned in support of the Lacazette-Kalimuendo pair, the neo-Bavarian played without complexes. Very influential in the heart of the game, he delighted his partners while undermining his opponents with his dribbling and his liveliness. Selfless, the London native also showed skill in finishing during the second act.
For Michael Olise, a shot at playing with the A’s?
After the break, he was in the right place at the right time to finish off a pass from Kalimuendo and thus unlock his counter. Rewarded for his entire body of work since the kick-off, the former Crystal Palace player made his mark, and in what style! On a ball poorly returned by the Dominican defense following a cross from Adrien Truffert, Michael Olise unleashed a powerful strike 30 meters from the opposing goal to offer himself a double and score the 5th French goal of the game. Enough to make everyone agree after the match on his impact on the squad in light of the comments made by Manu Koné.He is very good, we have confidence in him, we know that he will bring us a lot. We are proud of him. We hope that he will still score goals and contribute defensively and offensively with the general (Lacazette)” said the Borussia Mönchengladbach player.
On his way, Michael Olise confirms the expectations placed in him by his coach, but above all continues his rise in power following his recent transfer to Bayern Munich. Despite the physical glitches that may have hindered his progress at the start of last season, the 22-year-old player completed a solid 2023-2024 season with Crystal Palace, as illustrated by his 10 goals and 6 assists delivered in 19 Premier League matches. Performances with the English club that convinced the Bavarian leaders to go all out, around 60 million euros, to poach him. Authorized to participate in the Paris Olympics, the Franco-British player intends to take advantage of the Olympic tournament to gain confidence before opening a new chapter in his career in Germany and can hope to pique the curiosity of Didier Deschamps. Coming off a disappointing Euro 2024 with the French team, at least as far as attacking play is concerned, the Basque coach would be well advised to rely on the younger generation in the future.
