At the Stade de France
The holidays are going to be good for everyone, but before flying off to exotic countries, the Blues have fulfilled their mission. We can always talk about the quality of play or the general lack of pep, but the France team also knows how to be there and not trip over the carpet. The past must also teach us to savor these moments. During an evening of celebration in a Stade de France filled to the brim and in the summer heat, the vice-world champions dismissed Greece (1-0) and consolidated their place as leader of group B of the qualifying rounds. Euro 2024, ending a magnificent 2022-2023 season in the best possible way. It was not always brilliant and sexy, but the degree of requirement and rigor, constant values of Deschamps’ men, did not move one iota for the Blues expected at the start of the school year now (Ireland and Germany, 7- September 12). Until then, rest, idleness and decompression for worn bodies and washed heads.
During the first act, we thought the scenario was identical to Gibraltar three days earlier with a quick goal from the French in view of an attractive and incisive start to the match. Like Kingsley Coman, convincing in Faro and once again preferred to Ousmane Dembélé on his right side, hard-hitting but not rewarded by his great activity (2nd, 7th and 8th). If Didier Deschamps was right to grumble at the break after disputed decisions (2nd and 27th) by Mateu Lahoz, not helped a penny by the video refereeing, in particular on a rude push towards Kylian Mbappé seen by the 81,000 spectators, he must recognize the winded side and the lack of inspiration of the Blues. The fault of the Greeks in place and a game of vice-world champions too readable. However, with four changes in the starting lineup (Maignan, Upamecano, Koundé, Kolo Muani for Samba, Fofana, Pavard and Giroud), the idea was also to breathe freshness into a group on the kneecaps.
But, and this is undoubtedly the strength of this French team during this season, the requirement and rigor have not ceased to exist among the Mbappé band. And in these cases, when the boat is rocking, the leaders are there to give a boost and show the way. In this little game, the Griezmann-Mbappé duo has few equivalents in Europe. By causing a penalty after playing an aerial ball (50th), the Madrid player ended up with a bandage for a high foot from Mavropanos when the Parisian, full of authority, recovered twice to open the scoring (1- 0.55e) after a Greek entered the box. New proof of the extraordinary strength of character of the young captain. And a goal, his 54th of the season (club and selections combined) which broke Just Fontaine’s record (53 goals) dating from… 1957-1958. But also his 40th in 70 selections with the France team, one unit behind Michel Platini, all at just 24 years old… Statistics which once again confirm the colossal footprint of the phenomenon.
But it would be too simplistic to emphasize the French awakening to just two elements. Manhandled in the duels and in great difficulty until the return from the locker room, Randal Kolo Muani also sounded the revolt with constant aggressiveness, to the point of forcing Greece to finish the match at 10 (expulsion of Mavropanos as last defender, 69th). Ditto for the Camavinga, Coman or even Konaté and Upamecano. In a Stade de France in heaven for the last match of the season, the party was beautiful despite a somewhat disappointing match as a whole. But after such a season, and this World Cup final still in everyone’s mind, Deschamps’ men did the job. With four victories in as many matches, the road to Euro 2024 (June 14-July 14) is clear. That is the demand of the people.
