PARIS (Reuters) – France solely grabbed two factors from 4 Nations League video games this month, a collection of outcomes that leaves them dealing with unsure instances 5 months earlier than the beginning of the World Cup.
Les Bleus misplaced at residence in opposition to Denmark and Croatia, in opposition to whom they drew away, additionally taking some extent in Austria, which eradicated them from the race to the ultimate 4 in Group A1.
While coach Didier Deschamps was not devastated that France surrendered their Nations League title with out such key gamers as Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante or Lucas Hernandez, questions arose on the place this workforce goes.
Deschamps switched from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3 and in addition a 4-4-2 formation, giving the impression he had not but determined how the world champions would play in Qatar.
“I’m not the worrying sort,” stated Deschamps.
“We’ll assume it over with my workers nevertheless it’s clear we’ll want extra if we wish to preserve our standing (as world champions).”
However, the previous France captain argued that his squad lacked freshness on the finish of a demanding season, particularly in the instances of Karim Benzema and Ibrahima Konate who performed in the Champions League closing on the finish of final month.
But Deschamps conceded his workforce wanted to indicate extra character if they’re to retain their title in December.
“We have not completed sufficient so we’ve got to query ourselves. It’s not all black and white. I simply hope we are able to get our bodily power again and that the gamers rediscover their preventing spirit,” he stated.
Among the gamers who’ve dissatisfied is Antoine Griezmann, who has not been capable of finding his contact after an advanced season and the Atletico Madrid ahead didn’t begin Monday’s sport in opposition to Croatia, which France misplaced 1-0 in Paris.
“We lacked power, character and power. We have to just accept that and even I didn’t have the power to transmit this power to them,” stated Deschamps, whose father died shortly earlier than the opening sport in opposition to Denmark.
On a constructive notice, Aurelien Tchouameni has established himself as a starter in midfield, the place his power and precision will probably be key when France attempt to salvage their Nations League marketing campaign with video games in opposition to Austria and Denmark in September. Both matches are additionally the final rehearsal matches earlier than Qatar.
Deschamps will probably be hoping that Benzema and Kylian Mbappe will do the remaining up entrance.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
