The French team is becoming dependent on its capital. At least on its attacking players. For several months, the Blues have been relying on PSG’s attackers to make the difference. During the Nations League match against Belgium (2-0), this Monday at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, it was again two Parisians who broke the deadlock. Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring by taking advantage of a ball poorly returned by Koen Casteels after a shot by Ousmane Dembélé (29th). And this same Ousmane Dembélé himself doubled the lead at the end of a nice number and a powerful strike under the bar (57th). Enough to confirm the impressive impact of PSG players in the national team.
By ignoring own goals, the last six goals scored by the French team have been by strikers under contract with Paris. A first, according to Opta, since the Frenchies of Arsenal between June and August 2003. Before this match against the Red Devils, Bradley Barcola had scored the fastest goal in the history of the Blues (twelve seconds) during the defeat against Italy on Friday at the Parc des Princes (1-3). During the elimination of the Blues against Spain in the quarter-finals of the Euro (1-2), it was Randal Kolo Muani who found the flaw. He had also been at the origin of Jan Vertonghen’s own goal in the round of 16 (1-0).
Clauss, the last non-Parisian goalscorer
In the group stage, Kylian Mbappé (who was still linked to PSG) scored in the draw against Poland (1-1), after a sterile match against the Netherlands (0-0) and a narrow victory against Austria thanks to an own goal from Maximilian Wöber (0-1).
The preparation for Euro 2024 ended with a goalless draw against Canada (0-0). You have to go back to June 5 to find the last goal scored by a player not playing for PSG. That evening, the Blues thrashed Luxembourg in Metz (3-0). Kylian Mbappé sealed the score in this friendly match on a pass from Bradley Barcola. But it was Jonathan Clauss (then at OM) who scored the second goal of the evening, just after the opening goal by… Randal Kolo Muani.
- RMC Sport
