It is very difficult to point out only two players of the France of Didier Deschamps. In fact, the one who is highly questioned in the French country is the coach himself. In this Euro Cup has shown that having a dream squad is not synonymous with success and has turned a team capable of anything and that aimed to be more than fun, into a real ordeal for the spectator. Spain he beat them in a semi-final in which Dembele’s was replaced y Griezmann section to dock.
For many, only winning is worth it. And yes, reaching the semifinals of a tournament of the caliber of the Euro Cup should be a hit in almost any combo, but France, full of stars and top-level players, had the responsibility of convincing. The balance is shocking: six games, four goals and only one from a play. The rest, from a penalty and an own goal.
In the group stage they made it clear that they were not at their best. They finished group seconds with five points signing of draws (Netherlands and Poland) and only a victory, against Poland. In the round of 16 they surpassed one Belgium somewhat limited with an own goal from Jan Vertonghen in the last minutes of the duel.
The flute continued playing and in the rooms, against Portugalexhibited their effectiveness from eleven meters against Diogo Costathe ‘penalty saver’ of the Euro Cup. In the semi-finals, the Spain of Luis De the fountain He imposed good play and highlighted each of the weaknesses of a very boring team without solutions.
GRIEZMANN, WITHOUT GASOLINE
One of the great highlights was Antoine Griezmann. The footballer of Atlético de Madrid He was very well accustomed to the ‘Bleus’ fans, being one of the best players in the history of the French team. Fourth top scorer and top assist scorer in history, he was very important in the feat of the 2018 World Cup in Russiawhere he was elected MVP of the finaland also shone in the Qatar World Cup 2022, where Messi’s Argentina came out on top in the final. However, in Germany it has performed well below expectations.
Several French journalists point out that his ‘down’ is due to a physical issue, of overload of matches during the season. Although he started the course with a bang, he ran out of gas as the months went by. In all, he disputed 48 meetings with Atlético de Madrid among all competitions (3,917 minutes). Be that as it may, Griezmann has gone from being indisputable for Deschamps to a piece that was relegated to the bench in a Euro Cup semi-final.
The 33-year-old attacker played the first 180 minutes of the tournament, against Austria and the Netherlands, but against Poland, Deschamps rested him thinking about the round of 16. He ended up playing for half an hour, but for the banda right, a position that he had not ‘touched’ since his time at Real Sociedad. Had he been placed in that place for physical reasons? Versus Belgium (eighth) regained ownership, but once again left clear signs of fatigue. The closing of the campaign with the mattress team began to take its toll on him.
Therefore, before Portugal (rooms), It was the first change of the gamein the 67th minute. Against SpainDeschamps did not hesitate and he sat him on the bench. He ended up coming on in the 62nd minute, replacing N’Golo Kanté, but he didn’t have much of an impact on the game. “I started badly, then I felt better and better… and ended up on the bench“, declared Griezmann in the mixed zone after the game. The truth is that He leaves Germany with zero goals and zero assists in six games.
DEMBÉLÉ, THE SAME AS ALWAYS
The balance of your partner, Ousmane Dembélé, It’s much worse. Zero goals and zero assists in this one Euro Cup and zero goals in 18 Euro Cup and World Cup matches. That is to say, The PSG winger has never contributed to a French goal in a major international tournament. Germany has shown that, at its 27 years, is still the same footballer as always. In terms of abilities, he could be one of the best on the planet, but he needs to improve in his decision-making to be a truly decisive player.
Confront, overflow, dribble… He tries many times, but things don’t work out.. Unlike some of his colleagues, Deschamps does not demand the figures of other players because, on the one hand, his inconsistency in front of goal is understood as something natural in his game, and because he knows that a stroke of inspiration from him can change a game. Against Spain, it did not arrive.
Everyone knows his abilities. Defenders know that he can come out from both sides, both inside and out, and that he does so with unmatched electricity. But what always fails him, the ability to make decisions, and Marc Cucurella was in charge of ‘turning off’ his lights.
Things of fate, while the French winger said goodbye to Germany after having a poor game (substituted in the 79th minute), His direct replacement at Barça, Lamine Yamal, scored a great goal to send Spain into the Euro final and continue to enhance his aura as the chosen one.. Yesterday, he became the youngest footballer in history to score in a Euro Cup.
