Aurélien Tchouameni is not the only one to have to fear for his place after the Blues’ demonstration against Belgium. Lucas Da Cunha’s XXL performance clearly weakened the former Monegasque, who remained in Madrid due to his recent adductor injury, but the same is true of Eduardo Camavinga’s sparkling performance for Adrien Rabiot. In a dynamic midfield, the Madrilenian instilled a verticality and a rhythm which were sorely lacking in the recent gatherings of the France team.
On RMC in L’After Foot, Daniel Riolo did not mince his words when analyzing this tactical metamorphosis:
“Tonight, the environment worked like I have rarely seen… precisely because Adrien Rabiot was not there. » For the consultant, the absence of the Turinese freed up the ball circuits and made it possible to set an unprecedented pace.
“At some point, we will have to open our eyes to the Lexomil side of Rabiot in the middle. Camavinga – who does not play for Real – played in Rabiot’s place and it went twice as fast. There was more percussion and character. The midfield is something that needs to be completely overhauled from floor to ceiling,” he decides without concession.
“It’s no coincidence that we saw movement and play”
This questioning of Rabiot’s profile goes beyond the simple framework of an isolated meeting. It is the incompatibility of his style with modern football, based on pressing and perpetual movement, which is singled out: “It’s the environment that makes the difference and it’s no coincidence that we saw movement and play. I think it’s mainly because some weren’t there. I’m not sure that a player like Rabiot can bring positive things to Zidane’s system. »
An observation shared in more measured but equally evocative terms by Walid Acherchour: “I validate the Da Cunha – Camavinga – Cherki trio. Camavinga, I really liked it, if it’s this Camavinga, it’s very, very good. » By combining the creativity of Cherki and the versatility of Da Cunha with the impact of Camavinga, France discovered an attractive formula, for many observers. For Adrien Rabiot, indisputable holder under Didier Deschamps, the message is clear: the comfort of his place is now threatened.
