This is what we call the plume. After a frustrating draw against Israel in the middle of last week, the France team was expected to turn the corner this Sunday in Italy. Beaten during their first confrontation against the Squadra Azzurra in September at the Parc des Princes (1-3), the Blues needed revenge and had to win by two goals to steal first place in the group from their hosts evening. Finally, at the end of a more than successful performance, the teammates of a boss-sized Adrien Rabiot left San Siro with a brilliant victory (1-3) and first place in the group which ensures them the status of head of the group. series for the quarter-finals of the competition next March. A success which will also allow Didier Deschamps to prepare for the next year in a more serene manner.
Contested for years, the French coach needed this kind of victory to silence his detractors and show that he was still the man for the job after a fairly complicated 2024. However, DD still has work to do. Deciding in particular to do without Kylian Mbappé during the November rally, the former OM coach will necessarily have to work on the reincorporation of the Real Madrid striker. And while the 56-year-old coach will have to decide on Mbappé’s role as captain during his return to Blue, several other projects are to be planned for the French coach.
Headaches ahead for Didier Deschamps
Indeed, despite a strong ending, we must not forget the many difficulties displayed by France this year. In this sense, some players have even decided to bow out, forcing Didier Deschamps to call several new players like Michael Olise into his offensive ranks. A reoxygenation that ‘DD’ will have to continue in 2025 and which it will surely have to expand. As reported The Teamthe French coach would like to reach a group of 30 players who would be eligible to participate in the 2026 World Cup. In this sense, the continuation of the Nations League tournament in 2025 will serve as a dress rehearsal and will allow us to see more clearly in the coach’s future choices.
Its other main project will undoubtedly be the animation of the offensive sector. While the Blues made the difference in a 4-4-2 diamond this Sunday on the other side of the Alps, the upcoming return of Kylian Mbappé will inevitably reshuffle the cards. What about the international future of Bradley Barcola, author of a delicate November rally. Where could the PSG winger play in the future and does he have a viable future as a starter if Kylian Mbappé returns. This Sunday, Didier Deschamps explained that a lot would come from the future role of Kylian Mbappé: “you’re going to tell me that I’m tired of putting him as a center forward, the last two club coaches had him play as a center forward. It all depends on which team we have to play against. When he is in the center, it is more left axis than right axis, even if I saw him occupy the right axis zone at Real Madrid in one of the last matches. These are balances on positions, but always leave a lot of freedom. In addition to this major problem, the statuses of Christopher Nkunku, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé or even Michael Olise remain to be defined, while the young Maghnes Akliouche or Rayan Cherki could be surprise guests. Without forgetting the future 9 debate between Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram. In short, 2025 promises to be busy for Didier Deschamps with the Blues…
