DEBATE – The Blues performed relatively poorly offensively against the Netherlands, and not only in terms of efficiency. The coach’s choices divide the editorial staff of Le Figaro.
Special envoys to Leipzig
Yes, Deschamps was too cautious
After Kylian Mbappé’s injury and Marcus Thuram’s lackluster performance against Austria, speculation was rife about the 11 to line up against the Netherlands. Didier Deschamps chose to confirm Thuram and promote… Aurélien Tchouaméni. In the end, the Blues left with three recuperators, four defenders (including the very offensive Hernandez) and an attacker primarily concerned with shadow work (Thuram) to accompany Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé. And again, we know “Grizou”’s appetite for defensive work, and “Dembouz” is never as disciplined as in Blue. An ultra-solid safe on which the Dutch broke their teeth (0-0) but which lacked madness, the ability to eliminate and of course, success. Feeling like a waste. Especially when boys like Kingsley Coman and Bradley Barcola are on the bench.
Antoijne Griezmann on Friday against the Netherlands. Kai Pfaffenbach / REUTERS
Certainly, the Blues had the ball, but for what purpose? Obviously, with more success in front of the opposing cage, we would provide another analysis. But we can also say that such reluctance reduces the margin and leads to this kind of situation… The best example is the action in the 14th minute, when Thuram found Adrien Rabiot in the area. A little long control from the former Parisian, who begins to serve Griezmann alone at 6 meters. Too bad, the ball was too far behind, and the Colchonero is not confident. An attacker would perhaps have made a different choice than the Duke facing the Dutch cage, another reflex, another thought software. We know that of Deschamps. We’re not surprised. We saw him in action on Friday. For the worst… and soon the best? (CR in Leipzig)
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues against the Netherlands: Kanté (again) everywhere, Maignan solid, Griezmann imprecise
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No, he wasn’t too cautious
I understand the question but I do not share it. The Blues lacked efficiency, were not killer enough, that’s for sure. They must change the situation in this aspect of the game if they want to go to the end of this Euro. Certainly. Thuram, Griezmann and Dembélé should have done better and more. Of course. But in what way was Didier Deschamps cautious? At the end of the match to preserve the 0-0? Do we need to field four or five offensive players in each match to win a match and, in the longer term, an international competition? No.
Didier Deschamps is 55 years old, it is not at that age that we are going to change the stripes of the zebra… In 2021, “DD” has denied itself by betting everything on the attack with Benzema, Mbappé and Griezmann. Result: worst performance in an international tournament since his induction with a pitiful exit in the round of 16 against Switzerland. Friday against the Netherlands, he strengthened his midfield with the return of Tchouaméni, to the detriment of an offensive solution. Whether it was Griezmann three times, Thuram or even Dembélé, the Blues had huge opportunities to take the lead. With a little more success, Deschamps’ tactical move would have been praised. Today the piss-cold is falling on him.
SEE ALSO – Euro 2024: “I think we had a great match”, Kingsley Coman’s reaction after the Blues’ draw against the Netherlands (0-0)
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The worry would be to see this French team not providing any danger, this is not the case. The Dutch were afraid of the French, they played weak, cowering in their own half and Maignan had two saves to make over 90 minutes. Koeman at a press conference let the fear of being surprised by French quality spread, as during the last two defeats in Euro qualifying. He had nightmares about it (he didn’t say it, but we felt it). This is also the mark of the Blues. Crush, knead and asphyxiate your opponent. Disgust him. The “DD” brand. Not always beautiful, but effective.
In the second half, without Simons’ heat stroke and his disallowed goal, the Batavians were on oxygen. And this French team would have been too cautious? In control, solid, powerful, ineffective, not killer enough, I grant you that. Not always creative, yes. Perfectible, of course. But not chilly. This adjective sticks especially to the Netherlands. (BD in Leipzig)
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