It is also back to school for Didier Deschamps. The coach of the French team will carefully follow the start of the European season, with the European Super Cup between PSG and Tottenham in a week, followed by the resumption of the championships (the Premier League and the Liga in addition to Ligue 1). “DD” will resume his duties in three weeks by announcing his list for the first two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Reigning world vice-champions cannot miss their qualifying group. Kylian Mbappé and his teammates start facing their main opponent, namely Ukraine, on September 5, during a relocated match in Poland. Iceland and Azerbaijan are the other two opponents and the tricolor selection has every interest in ending in the lead (the first 12 are qualified, the second compete in the dams in the form of the Final Four).
It's just a simple preseason match, but Hugo Ekitiké made a strong impression during the Liverpool meeting against Bilbao on Monday evening in Anfield. The friendly meeting first enabled Virgil Van Dijk and his teammates to commune with the Liverpuldian public in order to honor the memory of Diogo Jota, tragically disappeared on July 3. The Portuguese striker was 28 years old …
Amazing Ekitike!
The champion of England was then able to make the powder speak and his two XXL recruits (Ekitike at 95 million euros, Florian Wirtz at 125), it was the 23 -year -old prodigy that shone. The player recruited in Frankfurt was a decisive passer for Mohamed Salah (14th), but he also demonstrated remarkable ease to stand out and participate in the game of his team. And the slender player passed by Reims and PSG now seems much more robust, even if he will discover the Golgoths of the English championship.
Cody Gakpo offered a double (55th and 72nd) but also scored against his camp in favor of the Basque training, while Mo Salah missed a penalty at the end of the game (81st). Liverpool begins its season on Sunday with the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. The following Friday, the Arne Slot team will receive Bournemouth at the opening of the PL (9 p.m., clear on Canal+). A Hugo Ekitike in good shape will not be able to escape the vigilance of Didier Deschamps…
