The only downside? Friday evening, the France team had an almost perfect evening against the Netherlands (2-1). If Mike Maignan was guilty of some approximations in the French goals, like the only goal scored by the Batavians, the Blues have, in fact, officially validated their ticket for Euro 2024, organized in Germany from 14 June to July 14. For his part, Kylian Mbappé chased away emerging doubts by offering himself an XXL performance while Jonathan Clauss celebrated his return to the Blues in the most beautiful way. Yes, but there you have it, aligned at the forefront of the French attack, Randal Kolo Muani had a much more contrasting outing on an individual level.
Arriving with confidence after his achievement against Stade Rennais (3-1) just before the break, the one who is in competition with Gonçalo Ramos in the City of Lights should quickly feel the breath of Olivier Giroud and Marcus Thuram, his two direct competitors for the number 9 position. Already established during the Blues’ defeat against Germany on September 12, RKM showed his limits at Signal Iduna Park. Weaned from balls and imprecise during the rare moments when he could shine, the 24-year-old Bondynois, author of 2 goals and 2 assists with PSG, produced a new copy that was more than questionable against the Batavians. At the Johan Cruyff Arena, Kolo Muani, alone on the offensive front, never weighed on this meeting.
Kolo Muani, some ups and lots of downs!
Certainly interesting in sequences in the handover game, the neo-Parisian stood out above all for a technical waste in the last meters and a lack of edge against the Dutch defense. Imprecise, although generous, he ultimately never had any real opportunities to showcase himself, except for this countered shot shortly after the hour mark (64th). Wasted, moreover, a great opportunity in transition just before the break (41st), he finished this shock on the right side after the exit of Coman and the entries of Giroud and Thuram (80th). Credited with a 3.5 by the FM editorial team, Kolo Muani is stuck in a period of doubt, having experienced a turbulent summer marked by this transfer to the French capital. Asked for The Teamformer striker Frédéric Piquionne admitted to being surprised to see the Bondynois starting against the Dutch.
“Compared to the form of Marcus Thuram, yes. Randal Kolo Muani is less confident. He is still in full transition with his transfer, a new club, a new championship. Kolo Muani lacks personality in the France team. It lacks edge. He didn’t move much (Virgil) Van Djik. We expect more bite. He doesn’t have a clear chance. It should show something else. It’s the minimum. It’s medium. He must do much better”, launched the former West Ham player. To the point of wondering if the 1m87 right-hander really has the tools to occupy this starting 9 position. One thing is certain, with this worrying new release, the doubts expressed around Randal Kolo Muani are unlikely to diminish in the coming hours. A reaction is now expected, both under the tricolor jersey and with the Parisian tunic…
