Family break, training out of sight: the Blues have been locked in a bubble for four days, a sign that the tension is starting to seriously rise as the Euro-2024 round of 16 match against Belgium approaches, Monday in Düsseldorf (6:00 p.m.).
Didier Deschamps used a hackneyed phrase after the last match of Group D against Poland (1-1) on Tuesday: “another competition begins”The cliché is as old as football but takes on its full meaning at the end of a first round with a relatively low sporting stake since, due to the 24-team format, only 8 nations returned home before the knockout phase.
So things are finally going to get serious and, with them, a new approach in preparing for the matches. Especially since after very close games in the first round, the players of the French team have two additional days of rest before challenging the Red Devils.
On Wednesday, the Blues were treated to a family day to recharge their batteries and clear their heads after a sluggish start to the tournament, with captain Kylian Mbappé notably distinguishing himself by going to a bowling alley in the town of Paderborn, near the Blues’ base camp in Bad Lippspringe (North Rhine-Westphalia).
The next day, work resumed, this time with a much higher intensity than in previous sessions. Concentration, involvement and above all much more technical accuracy: the French suddenly became very studious again when it came to the knockout matches.
Deschamps also took the opportunity to discuss with his players, just to put things straight and re-engage them.
France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, during a press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Belgium, on June 29, 2024 in Paderborn (Germany) / FRANCK FIFE / AFP
“He didn’t necessarily shake us up, but he told us that the most important thing is what happened. What happened is over, it’s forgotten, and now we have to focus on the future.”explained midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on Saturday.
“Another dimension”
“We had a little time with our families. The coach took us all the next day. I had the feeling that we were entering another dimension. There is no more time for calculations. We play football for that”added defender Ibrahima Konaté on Saturday.
French national football team defender Ibrahima Konaté, during a press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Belgium, on June 29, 2024 in Paderborn (Germany) / FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Another change in habits: since Friday, training sessions have been taking place behind closed doors, with only the first quarter of an hour open to the press on Saturday and Sunday.
“We recovered well, yesterday did us good seeing our families and loved ones. Physically, we are good”defender William Saliba said Thursday.
Deschamps’ incomparable experience, both as a player and as a technician, is also not negligible in successfully managing this transition between two completely dissimilar periods of competition. The coach is well placed to know that a failed first round is not prohibitive for the future and that there is no point in over-dramatizing the situation.
This is probably also the meaning of his speech, which may have seemed somewhat disconnected from reality, after the pitiful draw conceded against Poland.
“I’m not disappointed, not at all,” assured Deschamps. The objective was to get first place, we did what we had to do. I would have been a lot more worried if we hadn’t had the chances. »
“The coach feels very good. He is as usual. He gives advice. He is someone very important for me and for the team.”said central defender Dayot Upamecano on Thursday, brushing aside suspicions of distance from the group and nervousness among the coach. Until Monday at least, it’s a sacred union among the Blues.
