Last Friday, the French team went back to school. Despite a very quick goal from Bradley Barcola, Didier Deschamps’ men were beaten 3-1 by Italy. Starting at kick-off, Kylian Mbappé (25 years old) once again fell through against Luciano Spalletti’s team. After a failed Euro 2024, the French striker confirms that he is not going through the best period of his career. And he is not spared from criticism, whether in the press, on social networks or even in the locker room of the Blues, where his case is not unanimous. To protect his captain, DD decided to rest him on Monday evening at the kick-off of the match between France and Belgium at the Groupama Stadium.
DD is looking for the right formula
Which didn’t stop a good part of the crowd from booing him during the team presentation. But the same was true for Barcola, Guendouzi and Deschamps. The latter had decided to rely on an attacking trio composed of Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembélé and Randal Kolo Muani, who was lined up front in place of the Bondy player. During the first half, there was some waste in the game, including easy passes missed by Dembouz. There was also a lack of efficiency and precision. We think of this shot very far from the goal by RKM in the 11th minute. Gradually, Dembélé brought a bit of impact and speed to shake up the Belgian defense (4 chances created during the half-time). It was also the Parisian who was at the origin of his country’s opening goal.
Well launched by Kanté, he sent a shot that was a little too crushed and pushed back by Casteels. Kolo Muani followed up well and sent a shot deflected by Faes into his own goal (1-0, 29th). For his part, Marcus Thuram was not necessarily very good on the few balls he had to negotiate. In the second half, he continued more or less on his momentum. In his defense, he was lined up as a left winger. Which is not his position. It is not certain that we will see him there again. Good news for Bradley Barcola who has a boulevard, unless DD decides to line up Mbappé there or call on other players like Kingsley Coman. Ousmane Dembélé, for his part, had some good moments and at least in the second half. But he tried and martyred the Belgian defense.
It has various options
And he was rewarded for it in the 57th minute, as he doubled the lead for the Tricolores with a beautiful strike. Without being outstanding, he did a bit of Dembélé by being irregular while daring. A priori, he is best placed to occupy the right wing. But Michael Olise arrives and will push behind. Randal Kolo Muani, for his part, continued to make himself available for his team and to offer them space without necessarily being monstrous. But he proved that DD can trust him, he who has scored 5 goals in his last 6 starts for the Blues. Whether in the centre or on the right, RKM is part of the coach’s plans. Enough to give him confidence while he does not necessarily receive the same treatment at PSG, where Luis Enrique is banking on Marco Asensio up front despite Gonçalo Ramos’ injury. But he will not upset the hierarchy at the Blues either. Kylian Mbappé is still Deschamps’ number one offensive weapon, despite his struggles.
“Kylian feels good. Like all players, he is not at 100%. His shortage? Knowing his demands on that, it will be resolved. The goalkeeper made a big save. He will score goals. We focused too much on him. It is not by snapping our fingers that it will happen. The French team will always be stronger with him. The freshness, even if he feels good, is when he also continues. He will feel better in a month. There are high demands where he plays and he has already responded. He assumes his role as captain, even when he does not play. I have no worries with Kylian.” The player is not disturbed by the criticism either according to his teammate Jules Koundé. Not very enthusiastic about the attacking sector in recent months and during the Euro, Didier Deschamps, who can no longer count on a player with a different profile like Olivier Giroud (57 goals for the Blues), continues his work. In September, he was able to count on goals from three PSG players, namely Barcola, RKM and Dembélé. He hopes to have more solutions and more scorers in October. The work continues…
