Without its usual captain Kylian Mbappé, who remained in Madrid, the France team is preparing to challenge Israel on Thursday in a very particular context, then Italy on Sunday. Within this rejuvenated group, Didier Deschamps has held numerous interviews since Monday.
This is once again a special gathering for the France team. As in October, Kylian Mbappé does not appear on the list of 23 Blues called to play in the Nations League matches against Israel and Italy on November 14 and 17. Due to his absence, combined with Aurélien Tchouaméni's injury withdrawal, it was N'GoloKanté who inherited the captain's armband.
“He has experience. He is not someone who will speak a lot (smile). But there are other forms of leadership. Through what he does on the ground, it has always been a leader and a driving force”, justified Didier Deschamps this Wednesday at a press conference.
At the same time, the coach has increased the number of interviews since Monday. The idea is in particular to exchange with the elements who have the least experience within this group, and with the returnees. With this rejuvenated group, supported by a few executives, Deschamps knows that a new story is being written, with several players who have passed through the Espoirs and who know each other well. Everyone is happy to be together, and everyone wants to score points and perform well during this gathering, like Benjamin Pavard.
Knight very comfortable in the group
Recalled to replace Wesley Fofana, the Inter Milan defender gives the impression of still being the same, based on his experience in the blue jersey (54 caps). If Olivier Giroud is no longer there, he found his great friend Théo Hernandez, always by his side during meals, and his favorite number 2. The return of Kingsley Coman, called up on Monday to replace Ousmane Dembélé, injured in the right hamstring with PSG, also went very well. With 57 selections on the clock, the Bayern Munich winger is the second most capped player in this November gathering for the Blues, behind Kanté.
As for the new kid Lucas Chevalier, the integration happened naturally. The very successful 23-year-old Lille goalkeeper capitalizes on his confidence from the start of the season, as well as on relays and his strong links with his former teammate at Losc, Mike Maignan. Sincerely happy to be there, he immediately felt at ease with the France group and is not at all out of place. His hazing on Gilbert Montagné also enlivened this start of the gathering, like the birthday of Jules Koundé, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday.
A very particular context around the match against Israel
For Deschamps and the staff, the objective is also to make the match against Israel as normal as possible. An impressive security system will be put in place in connection with this meeting due to the tense geopolitical context and the conflict in the Middle East. Three-quarters of the Stade de France should be empty, enough to undoubtedly “beat” the record for the lowest attendance for the Blues at home at the Stade de France. Asked about this context on the eve of the match, Didier Deschamps admitted that the situation was complicated to manage.
“We made sure to prepare for this match as normally as possible. Obviously, within the entire group, no one can be insensitive to the context which is heavy and heavy,” declared the coach. “This has consequences in terms of the number of spectators and everything that goes with it. We have to ensure that it remains a football match despite everything.”
