Goals: Randal Kolo Muani (42e), Clauss (70e) and Mbappé (85e) for the Blues
For any normally constituted Frenchman from Moselle, Luxembourg is mainly used to stock up on gasoline, wages and cigarettes. For the French of the French team, the Grand Duchy above all offered a first outing with great fanfare in order to build up the confidence that Didier Deschamps could have lacked after mixed performances in Greece (1-1), against the Germany (0-2) or against Chile (2-3). In Metz, the luxurious neighbors were not unworthy, but ended up letting their hosts play out at the end of the game, visibly tired of repelling the attacks of a Kylian Mbappé on a mission. Positive, obviously, but to be confirmed, necessarily.
42 minutes in traffic
“Boring to watch” ? It is this stamp that this French team is seeking to erase on the way to the German Euro. In full preparation, the organizations and automation are not yet completely ready, but this match in the Grand Est must serve as a first test. Acclaimed by the Metz public, Kylian Mbappé is the first to start the machine highlights. Two shots slowed down by the Luxembourg defense as an aperitif, a perfect service for Antoine Griezmann who found the post on entry, and a heavy rebound deflected by the valiant Anthony Moris after a nice exchange with his leader in the main course: that’s it for the first service, which will therefore not be recorded on the receipt.
In the meantime, we could see Randal Kolo Muani with an appetite, N’Golo Kanté re-acclimatizing without worry – but not without effort – to his role as head of the row, but also Luxembourgers having crossed the border without pressure. Relieved of eleven selection regulars and traumatized by their elimination from the Euro at the end of a cruel barrage against Georgia, these Red Lions had all the makings of perfect expiatory victims. Instead, there are boys relaxing, like we would go to school at the end of June to have snacks and board games. Thus, Mathias Olesen and Gerson Rodríguez push the Konaté-Upamecano pair to work and obtain corners which put the blue line to the test. Moment chosen by Kylian Mbappé to set the table again. On an overflow, the ex-Parisian puts a cross in the package: Kolo Muani can dive in to score his third goal in his last four outings in blue (1-0, 42e). For cross-border workers, 42 minutes is often the minimum to escape traffic; for the Blues, it is enough to trigger a Marseillaise before the break and discreetly peel off a first corner of this label“boring team”.
Mbappé’s team?
The second best passer in the history of the French team continues to pour water from the restart. Ten minutes later, the captain, faced with the timidity of his team, desperately looked for a penalty then attempted a bicycle kick. Two vain gestures, like the long-range strikes from Youssouf Fofana or Danel Sinani on the other side. The turnover part does not help maintain an intense rhythm, while Marcus Thuram raises the question of its usefulness with each touch of the ball. A debate postponed when, on a two-played corner, Mbappé shifts Jonathan Clauss. The right-hander used this evening on the left releases a bag which ends up in the skylight under the bar (2-0, 70e). A banger always welcome to fight against boringness.
The last quarter of an hour will allow Griezmann to affirm that he will be the kicker of the upcoming free kicks, for veteran Olivier Giroud to begin his farewell tour for what could be his penultimate international match on the ground French, to Mahmutović to force Maignan to the parade and to Bradley Barcola to take his first steps with the A. The latter, not embarrassed for a penny, immediately shows his ease and already remembers the good times of PSG, by punching a resigning ducal defense before serving its elder Mbappé (3-0, 85e). The omnipotent captain has a goal and everyone can look forward to the future with a little more serenity.
Kanté: no, he has not changed
){kind=link}