France, the runner-up in the world, the great favorite to win the Euro Cup, finished the group stage as second, behind Austria, adding five points out of a possible nine and barely scoring two goals, one on an own goal and the other on a penalty. While it is true that the defensive solidity has been evident, conceding only one goal, the performance of the French team has sparked great criticism in the French country and its worrying numbers.do not invite optimism before the round of 16.
The tricolor’s only two goals in the Euro Cup have come from two very specific actions. In the debut against Austria, for example, it was Wöber, the Austrian defender, who deflected a cross from Kylian Mbappé. On the second day, against the Netherlands, the score was zero. And, on the last day, against a Poland already eliminated, only the Real Madrid striker, from a penalty, was able to score. Poor numbers, especially for a team that combines an enormous offensive wealth.
The European Championship in Germany was the first tournament in which France, with Deschamps on the bench, finishes second. Until then he had performed fully in all the tournaments, despite the fact that he did not know the victory in the last game of the group stage with the Bayonese as coach, being against Togo, on the last day of the World Cup in Germany, with Domenech, the last match he won before closing the first phase of a great tournament.
France must get its act together, but Deschamps still does not provide the key. Against Poland he introduced changes, such as the entry of Barcola for Griezmann. Although the PSG winger was constant, generating a lot of danger on the left wing, the reality is that he lacked bite in the final meters. “It was a tactical decision. No problem. You can interpret it however you want,” said Didier Deschamps, after the draw against Poland, to justify the substitution of the Atlético de Madrid player.
France became the first team to qualify for the round of 16 of a European Championship without having scored a goal for its own team (until that moment it had only added Wöber’s). He consummated it after Albania’s defeat against Spain, setting a precedent that does not speak very well of one of the favorites to win the title. Deschamps’ management, the lack of automation for Mbappéthe lack of fluidity in the game, and many other things will mark the preview of the round of 16, on July 1 in Düsseldorf.
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