The Netherlands – France (0-0) cheat sheet: So Deschamps, so frustrating

In the anticipation and the duels, Dayot Upamecano delivered a match worthy of his adventure in Qatar, well supported by a truly radiant Mike Maignan since his arrival in Germany. In a more unusual role with the Blues, N’Golo Kanté was not unworthy. Conversely, Ousmane Dembélé, clumsy, Aurélien Tchouaméni, too discreet, and Théo Hernandez, abandoned, foundered. Holder at the forefront, Marcus Thuram was sometimes brilliant but missed the scoresheet, just like Antoine Griezmann, author of two huge misses.

69th minute: In the only Dutch attack of the second half, Xavi Simons managed to score after a strike from Memphis Depay was repelled by Mike Maignan. After a few seconds of celebration, the goal was finally canceled for an offside position by Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch right-back is in an illegal position. But does it really prevent Maignan from diving? In the Netherlands, we risk asking the question.

First there was his appearance on the pitch in Leipzig, with a sober black mask, in accordance with UEFA regulations. But it is above all the image of a captain glued to the bench that will remain this Friday. Powerless in the face of the ineffectiveness of his own people.

Like the number of strikes from the Blues this Friday. A misleading stat since only three of them, all from Griezmann, were on target. In the end, Verburggen never had to warm his gloves, leaving the strange impression that Deschamps’ men had ample means but really did not have the eye of the tiger when facing goal.

“I have two ‘opportunities’ where it stuck in my feet, it’s a real shame. That’s what we’re missing in the two matches, we have to work on it. Defensively we were good. Tactically, we were good. We’re missing this little goal Peace of mind, it’s going to happen.”

By choosing the security of a system known and victorious in the past, Didier Deschamps remained faithful to his line. In his defense, this 0-0 is not a bad result in itself and the Blues could even have left Leipzig with a defeat in their bags. His defense was rarely exposed and these Tricolores are still difficult to maneuver.

The fact remains that the first echoes from the players tell of a match where only the deficit in efficiency is to be highlighted. But the explanation does not completely hold up. By choosing this Russian 4-4-2, Deschamps anesthetized his left side where poor Théo seemed very alone. Knowing that his right side does not particularly shine for his flamboyant success, these Blues seemed without ammunition. Only the projections of N’Golo Kanté, propelled as conductor in the middle since Griezmann had abandoned the area, brightened up the evening. Add to that the perfectible performance of Tchouaméni and that was a lot.

Even in his coaching at the end of the match, DD was conservative. He never sought to modify this insipid asymmetry with the entries of Coman and Giroud in place of Dembélé and Thuram. Taking so many attackers in your list to play midfielders in their place is so Deschamps. So far, it’s hard to complain. But this Friday, if his Blues were without ideas, it’s also because DD didn’t really look for one.