Since we clearly enter the new era of football, there was no question of neglecting this Final 4 of the League of Nations. Stuck between the peak of emotion of a grandiose final of the Champions League won by Paris Saint-Germain and the World Cup of clubs, this international window offered another dream poster, with this Spain-France in Germany.
The evening decor was an awakening to the last Europe, where the Blues had been tamed by this same Roja at the half stadium. There was revenge in the air, inevitably, but the France group has evolved so much that comparisons stopped there. Lamine Yamal, who had already taken the light, is now touched by grace, when the auxiliary striker that was still Ousmane Dembélé made an unimaginable moult to become the most decisive player on the planet.
We will have understood, there was a match in the match between these two, with the golden linen Ballon. In this context, curiosity also consisted in observing the position of the recent European champion. Unsurprisingly, the Parisian swapped a lot with Kylian Mbappé and Désiré Goué. A trio supported by Michael Olise, who had recovered the keys to the game.
The Blues surprised quickly …
But the major stake, for these blues, was above all to resist this machine so well oiled that is Roja. With a completely overhauled defensive sector, the men of Deschamps faced a tremendous offensive striking force embodied by a Lamine Yamal in a state of grace. And in this little game, it was the European champions that took over during a very frustrating first act.
We feared a fragmented French team between its offensive power and its DIY defense, that's exactly what we had. In front, the Blues have proposed many interesting things, with movement, rhythm, combinations and individual prowess. He would have even deserved to take the advantage if Hernandez had not found the Simon's square (11th) before the Spanish porter interposed on a rolled strike from Doué (14th). Balled and even deprived of ball, La Roja came out of her torpor to strike twice. Nico Williams (1-0, 22nd) then Merino (2-0, 25th) took advantage of an apathetic defense in two stages, three movements.
… Before the sinking
The Blues had the merit of reacting by being still dangerous, but Mbappé or Dembélé rushed on a well camped Simon on his line. In fact, this curious impression was released that Deschamps' men could hurt each offensive action while being pierced on each action of the opponent. At the foot of the wall, the Blues had to overthrow everything after rest.
They did quite the opposite … After an illusion maintained by some interesting situations, France has completely lost foot. Adrien Rabiot conceded an indisputable penalty by not mastering his tackle on Lamine Yamal, who did not hesitate to transform it (3-0, 54th SP). Then Pedri concluded a dream action where French defenders remained planted one by one, like studs (4-0, 55th).
… And ultimate burst
The penalty transformed by Kylian Mbappé gave a momentum for the last half hour (1-4, 58th), but the untenable Yamal showed all hope on a new feat (5-1, 67th). The sublime resumption of Rayan Cherki for his first selection attenuated the bad impression for a nice little story in the nightmare (5-2, 77th), before a CSC of Vivian at the end of the match (5-3, 83rd). We had to hope for a miracle. It did not take place. The Blues put their own there, however, since on a caviar of a really amazing Cherki, Kolo Muani broadcast a wind of madness on a head of helmet at close range (5-4, 90th+3). That was not enough. A year ago, when they met this Roja, the Blues had no more attack. This Thursday, they had not defined. We will have to find a balance to face the big passes.
