Less than three weeks before the list of Didier Deschamps for the 1/4 final of the League of Nations against Croatia, (March 20 in Croatia, March 23 in France), we can say that Maghnes Akliouche offered a Nice advertising and projector against Benfica last night (3-3, 4-3 cumulative score). By force of things, frustration and disappointment prevailed during its passage in the mixed zone when putting words on this elimination, while the ASM had sometimes seemed so close, then so far, to snatch a 1/ 8th C1 prestige final against Barça, or Liverpool.
“”I am necessarily disappointed because we came here with the intention of qualifying. But I think we showed a good face and that we deserved betteranalyzed the international tricolor hope after the meeting. The scenario? Honestly, it's heart. We score then we collect a goal behind, it's never easy. It's a little failure of course, now we will hold the positive». On the positive side, there is obviously his personal performance, tape and perhaps heralding Lendemans among the Blues (he remains eligible to evolve with the selection of Algeria, editor's note). Akliouche did not score, but history has already shown that its influence and its impact largely exceeded the stats sheet. And if his partners had been washed with clumsiness and bad luck yesterday, the left -hander would certainly have completed his score with two assists, possibly three, not one.
The creative profile missing among the Blues?
All over the match, we felt the Portuguese defend on the heels when the Monegasque touched the ball. A meeting that also made it possible to highlight the versatility of the 22-year-old player, sometimes in this role of interior winger and false foot, as an attacking midfielder or even sometimes a relay. “This is the way we want to play, with young talents from our academy. We are very proud of Eliesse (Ben Seghir), who is only 19 years old, and Maghnes (22 years old), who are examples of the quality of the diagonal formation. They were fantastic tonight at the heart of the game despite the many absences. They are three young talents with Lamine Camara ”greeted his coach Adi Hütter at a press conference.
With already several references in front of Barça, Belgrade, Zagreb and therefore now Benfica in the Champions League-the most important scene as likes to remind you of Didier Deschamps-the native of Tremblay-en-France may leave with de l 'advance on Rayan Cherki and Désiré Goué to integrate, in the long term, the France group. It remains to be seen whether the coach of the Blues will hear it by this ear. “Gifted, akliouche and gifted?” Who are they in competition with? Obviously they are efficient. But there are already players in this position ”swept DD last week. At a time when creative profiles are tending to be scarce since Griezmann's retirement (Nkunku plays much less in Chelsea, editor's note), and that Deschamps has often spotted its need to reoxygen its group, the debate remains open in any case.
