For the first time in the Deschamps era, the French team did not finish at the top of its group in a major tournament. Surprised by Poland (1-1), the Blues let Austria get ahead of them. The 2018 world champions are now in the most complicated part of the Euro table for the knockout phase, with Germany, Spain and Portugal. And beyond the worrying balance sheet with only one victory, the proposed spectacle is not up to the standard of a supposed favorite of the competition.
” Regrets ? We did what we could do”
All eyes inevitably turn to Didier Deschamps, architect of this team completely lacking in inspiration. Facing the press, the coach wanted to put things into perspective, defending the first results of this start of the Euro. “I’m not frustrated. The goal was to take first place, but you had to win. From the moment you don’t win, you have to accept it. We did the right thing, we had chances. We have to appreciate what we have done. The first objective is achieved even if we don’t have the place we wanted. Regrets ? We did what we could do. »
The matches against Austria and the Netherlands were marked by solidity and a clear margin for improvement in the opposing camp. The opportunities are there, but efficiency has been critical for Mbappé, Griezmann and others. We were hoping for a breakthrough against Poland, but the Blues were once again struggling with Skorupski on fire in the opposing goals. Bradley Barcola, fielded for the first time in the competition, brought his usual percussion and carefreeness but was quickly taken off on the hour mark.
Deschamps under contract until 2026
If the Mbappé case has been difficult to manage with his nose weakened since the match against Austria, the French team must not be dependent on a single player. The problems are growing on the table: Antoine Griezmann in the tough physically, Ousmane Dembélé who benefits from unlimited credit and a bench which has very little impact. By wanting to find balance at all costs, the coach ended up proposing a team with no common thread from one meeting to the next.
READ ALSO Euro 2024: Mbappé or Griezmann, who is the real boss of the Blues? As Didier Deschamps likes to say, “it’s another tournament that begins” for a French team that is more than ever in the dark. The track record (2018 World Cup, 2021 Nations League) and accomplishments (Euro 2016 final and 2022 World Cup final) will always tip the scales in its favor.
But after twelve years of the Deschamps era at the head of the Blues, we would still have appreciated more certainties in the game. By being extended until 2026 for the World Cup in North America, the coach benefits from a unlimited confidence from his federation. It remains to be seen whether this Euro without panache will lead to the expected questioning. First answer Monday July 1 at 6 p.m., with a round of 16 against Romania, Belgium, Slovakia or Ukraine.
