Many things have changed in the space of a few days. Unrecognizable in Split, the French team displayed a completely different face during their quarter -final return from the League of Nations against Croatia. If the Blues reversed the steam by winning 2-0 thanks to Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, before validating their qualification for shots on goal, it is thanks to a change of attitude and the choices of Didier Deschamps.
The coach managed to reshape his team in a more offensive 4-2-3-1, where Michael Olise has shone in particular. But another paying change concerns defense. While Ibrahima Konaté had been very disappointing, Dayot Upamecano achieved a full match. Faced with much less inspired Croats, he held the barracks on the defensive level, before concluding his evening by scoring the shot of the victory.
Upamecano, Deschamps' lucky charm?
Casually, Dayot Upamecano confirmed that he was the new lucky charm of the Blues, and perhaps the new darling of Didier Deschamps. Of the 17 Bayern player's tenure, the French team made no less than 14 clean-Sheets (matches aimlessly conceded). Conversely, the last 10 times “UPA” was absent or replacing, the three -color goalkeeper has always taken at least one goal. Significant, right?
We remember that Dayot Upamecano was an indisputable holder during Euro 2024, where the defensive solidity of the Blues was one of the main satisfactions. In September, he was on the bench during the rout against Italy (1-3) at the Parc des Princes, before regaining his place against Belgium (2-0) three days later. And there again, facing the Croats, his return to the eleven gave stability and confidence to the whole team.
