The evening at the Parc des Princes could have looked like a simple meeting without suspense between France and Azerbaijan. And yet, she offered her share of lessons, notably for Hugo Ekitike. Starting for the French team for the first time, the Liverpool striker was one of the major players in the French success (3-0). In a context dominated from start to finish by the Blues, Didier Deschamps had chosen to renew a very offensive eleven, structured around Mbappé, Coman, Olise and Ekitike. If France struggled for a long time with a compact and disciplined block, the match took on another dimension after the Blues captain opened the score just before the break. Behind this controlled success, there was movement, creativity, and great confirmation for a player on the rise.
Because this evening marked a small turning point for Hugo Ekitike. Summoned for the first time in September, the former Rémois had to wait before tasting a tenure in Blue. Didier Deschamps ended up offering him this opportunity this Friday evening, on the back of an excellent start to the player's season under the colors of Liverpool. In England, Ekitike was able to confirm his rebirth already displayed at Eintracht Frankfurt after a complicated period at PSG, stringing together convincing performances and goals in the Premier League. It is therefore logical that the native of Cormontreuil was rewarded with this starting position, in a central role cut out for his profile, namely that of a mobile center forward, capable of breaking through, participating in the game and provoking with his power.
A decisive pass and lessons to be learned
And on the lawn of the Park, the tricolor number 9 did not disappoint. Very active from the first minutes, Hugo Ekitike, awarded a rating of 6 by French Football Weekly, quickly stood out for his sharp calls and his availability between the lines. His shot on the post in the 49th minute, after a devastating acceleration, sent shivers through the entire stadium. With 8 shots in total, including one on the post, the Reds' new strong scorer was the most dangerous of the Blues on an individual level. Of course, he missed this goal which would have rewarded his efforts, but his influence in the game was constant. “I was a little frustrated at half-time because I know I can bring a lot more into the game, I had a pivotal role in the first half and I thought I wasn't helping the team enough, I tried to bring more technique and connection to the game afterwards, and I think it worked. I could have scored the short goal, but there is an assist, we will say that I will save that for the next match, I hope so» declared Ekitike on the microphone of TF1. In a system where Mbappé attracted a lot of attention, Ekitike was able to free up space and create favorable situations for his partners.
His agreement with Olise, in particular, showed great promise for the future. Beyond his attempts, the figures confirm the solidity of his performance: 17 successful passes out of 21 – or 81%, almost all of which in the opposing camp, 1 assist, 1 key pass, 2 successful dribbles out of 3 and 41 balls touched. Data that reflects both his playing volume and his intelligence when traveling. “What if I scored points and am satisfied? When we are here, we never sleep soundly, obviously, I also take the time to savor, it's a first titu, it's a source of pride for me, but there is work, this question must be asked to the coach, me, I just want to continue working, I want to show that I have my place here and help this team to perform», concluded the main person concerned. This evening, Hugo Ekitike did not score, but he left his mark. His involvement, his technical accuracy and his growing complicity with the team's executives suggest a bright future in the blue jersey. In the absence of a goal, Hugo Ekitike offered himself a brilliant validation, ready to establish himself permanently in Didier Deschamps' rotation.
