Forty-eight shots, fourteen on target, for two small goals. This is the striking summary of the first three matches of the French men’s football team at Euro 2024. This statistic corroborates the impression of a team repeating bad choices in front of the opposing goal, and therefore at the mercy of the first chance that comes along, like the Polish penalty synonymous with an equalizer (1-1), at the end of the group stage.
The Blues, who face Belgium, Monday 1is July in Düsseldorf (Germany), have an efficiency problem. This notion which saturates post-match remarks – the antiphon “We lacked efficiency” – concentrates a sum of infinitely complex factors: the ability to produce the right gesture, at the right time, after having been placed in the best conditions by his partners. An alchemy with deep individual and collective springs, which the coaches strive to master.
“All coaches are looking for this efficiency, because the matches are decided on it.testifies Philippe Montanier, who has led more than six hundred meetings. But no one has the miracle recipe.” For the former coach of Lens, Rennes or Toulouse, several parameters help to approach this Holy Grail: “Collectively, the placement of attacks matters. Individually, the ability to make the right move relies on mental preparation that will generate composure, the ability to be “clinical”, a bit of a killer.” Each shot is preceded by a pass and, depending on the place on the field from which it comes, the degree of imbalance it causes in the opponent and the position of the receiver, it has more or less chance of being converted into a goal, regardless of the quality of the shot.
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For a team facing an offensive drought, a first line of work therefore consists of analyzing its attacks using video. “To create better opportunities, you have to attack the zones more [de passe décisive] and improve surface occupancy », summarizes Mr. Montanier. Either arrive at the ball on the sides or at the entrance to the penalty area, areas that generate the most assists; but also guarantee a presence in front of goal to receive these passes: against Poland, the absence of an attacker occupying this position was particularly felt for the Blues.
A “first mental” problem
Another area of work, more specific, concerns set pieces (corners, free kicks). This former strong point of the Blues no longer weighs. “I don’t think I even touched one, recognizes defender William Saliba. If we didn’t score in these phases, it’s because the shooters and receivers, like me, weren’t good. » That sector “can be worked on in a short time”assures Philippe Montanier, an advantage in competition. Just like the exercise in front of the goal, “repetition of scales” can unblock the Blues, believes the technician.
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