Hit hard by the political crisis in France, Kylian Mbappé’s Blues, big favorites of the competition, are making their long-awaited debut at Euro 2024 against Austria on Monday in Düsseldorf.
The dissolution of the National Assembly decided by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron after the victory of the National Rally in the European elections on June 9, suddenly entered the heart of the life of the Tricolores in Germany, eclipsing the immediate issues of the first match.
The resounding exit of Marcus Thuram on Saturday, calling “to fight so that the RN does not pass”, and that of captain Kylian Mbappé, who positioned himself on Sunday “against the extremes and the ideas which divide”, brought the sporting considerations in the background.
“The situation is more important than tomorrow’s match (Monday),” Mbappé even said during a press conference largely devoted to Sunday in Düsseldorf for the early legislative elections of June 30 and July 7.
It is therefore in a heavy and tense context that the world vice-champions will begin the tournament.
We will have to watch for the impact that the events of the weekend will have on the performance of the French, who came above all to seek a third continental title after 1984 and 2000. Mbappé is in any case used to being on the front line, he who does not has never been afraid to take a stand on social issues.
The destiny of the Blues will rest as always on the state of form of their superstar, who will have to dispel the doubts born from a chaotic season with PSG since the internal announcement of his departure in February, and from a preparation marked by physical problems (back, knee). The future Real Madrid striker, 3rd top scorer in the history of the French team (47 goals), missed a total of four training sessions before challenging the Austrians.
Mbappé owes a revenge
But Mbappé has revenge to take on the Euro after a 2021 edition finished without having shaken the nets and a missed decisive shot on goal in the round of 16 against Switzerland (3-3 ap, 5 tab to 4).
“I find him very good,” defender Benjamin Pavard explained in recent days. I’m sure he’ll have a great Euro. He is a great player and he will show it during the Euro. For many years, whether at club or national level, I have felt very well that he has flourished. »
Coach Didier Deschamps, who has always warned against a “tough” Group D, is wary of the “intensity” and the “pressure” that Ralf Rangnick’s Austrians know how to impose.
The Blues in any case have an interest in getting off to a good start before meeting their main opponent in the group on Friday in Leipzig, the Netherlands, who had all the difficulty in the world on Sunday to beat Poland (2-1), despite being deprived of Robert Lewandowski, injured.
In addition to France, Monday will see the entry of Belgium (group E), launched into a takeover operation after a 2022 World Cup to forget (elimination in the 1st round). Without Eden Hazard, who has retired, nor goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, on bad terms with new coach Dominic Tedesco, the Red Devils, who face Slovakia, will rely on their attack with the unstoppable Kevin de Bruyne, promoted captain, and Romelu Lukaku .
The Ukrainians, qualified through the roadblocks, will have a thought for their country at war since the Russian invasion of February 2022.
“It’s hard to be here when you hear the news from home. When we wake up in the morning, we wonder how it went for our family or for our friends,” said central defender Illia Zabarnyi before starting the Euro against Romania.
Zbirna’s star players, including Chelsea striker Mikhailo Mudryk and Real Madrid goalkeeper Andryi Lunin, also published a strong video last week, recalling the destruction in their hometowns, completely occupied or destroyed.
