Les Bleuets accustomed to comebacks (2-2)

The French Espoirs team and its German counterpart parted ways as good friends (2-2) this Tuesday, November 19 at the Hainaut stadium in Valenciennes after a stunning friendly encounter.

The French Espoirs team maintained its invincibility in its preparation for Euro U21 2025, which will take place from June 11 to 28 in Slovakia, by snatching a draw in added time against Germany (2-2) . Manhandled by realistic Germans, who led 2-0, the Bleuets drew on their resources to get back to equality, showing, as in Italy four days earlier, a good mentality.

THE MATCH
Stunning

The match started at a slow pace with two teams observing but, on a ball that seemed innocuous, Germany opened the scoring through Maximilian Beier who narrowly beat Nkambadio Obed, on an excellent serve from Nick Woltemade (0-1, 4th). Nothing to panic the Bleuets who immediately regained control of the ball, without being able to break the German lock, the fault of a very compact block. The Mannschaft, for its part, chose to operate in transition and managed to get a new opportunity thanks to Nicolo Tresoldi, who struck wide (19th).

Faced with a regrouped team, Gérald Baticle’s players tried to pass through the wings, notably on the right side where Saël Kumbedi, behind Mathys Tel, initiated the first French offensives, leading to the first blue shot signed Andy Diouf (34th) who passed over the goal protected by Jonas Urbig. The Bleuets, confident under the leadership of Kumbedi, manage to score their first strike, the work of the Lyon right-back, found in the area by Kassoum Ouattara, his counterpart on the left (39th). While they had no longer entered the French area, the Germans did not come close to doubling the lead thanks to the same doublet as on the opening score, Beier and Woltemade, narrowly stopped by Ismaël Doukouré. Germany returned to the locker room ahead with the score (0-1).

After half-time, the Bleuets showed a new face, with and without the ball, by cornering the Germans in their last meters, thanks to rigorous pressing. In quick succession, Mathys Tel and Désiré Doué took their chances, without managing to put Jonas Urbig in difficulty (47th and 49th). High on the pitch, the Tricolores exposed themselves to counterattacks. The Mannschaft, realistic, took the opportunity to make the break thanks to Beier, alone at the far post, for the double header, on a cross from Ansgar Knauff (0-2, 50th). Caught cold, the teammates of captain Chrislain Matsima did not give up and, in the 62nd minute, they saw their efforts come to fruition thanks to a goal from Mathys Tel on a penalty, caused by Valentin Atangana (1-2, 62nd). The Bleuets increased their pressure to try to come back to the score, buoyed by the freshness of the starters. In the final moments, Kilian Sildilla, found at the corner of the area on the right side, sent an excellent cross back to Loum Tchaouna, who, alone at the penalty point, allowed the Espoirs selection to equalize, validating the great French second period (2-2, 90+3rd).

THE GOALS
Decisive entrants

– 0-1, (4e) Maximilian Beier : found on the left side by a ball which seemed under the control of the Bleuets, Nick Woltemade sent a low cross to Maximilian Beier, who narrowly beat Nkambadio Obed and pushed the ball into the empty goal.
– 0-2, (50e) Maximilian Beier : sIn a counter-attack, Ansgar Knauff is called upon on the right flank of the German attack and manages to place a superb ball on the head of Maximilian Beier who crucifies Obed at the far post and scores a double.
– 1-2, (62nd) Mathys Tel: lThe Bayern Munich striker converted a penalty caused by Valentin Atangana.
– 2-2, (90+3e) Loum Tchaouna: launched in depth by Rayan Cherki, Kilian Sildilla enters the area and serves Loum Tchaouna behind, alone at the penalty point, who lodges his shot in the small German net.

Loum Tchaouna and Kilian Sildilla, winning duo for Bleuets to equalize at 2-2 (photo Hugo PFEIFFER / ICON SPORT)

THE BREEDER’S REACTION

Gérald Baticle (on the L’Équipe channel): “I am proud of this group which was formed late, piece by piece, with a lot of young players, it’s very interesting. We set up different situations, a system, and animations. There is great support. It’s difficult to change everything like that and to have homogeneity in a group, to have unity when you meet like that for the first time and play so quickly. We changed the team from one match to another and found the same scenario, it’s true, but each time with this mental strength not to give up, not to break down, and to be able to come back at the end. with even the feeling of being able to win. This gathering is very rich in lessons, that was the objective, to take as much information as possible regarding the players that we are discovering, a system that we are putting in place, the animations that we have seen in training and found in matches. Defensively, today we are almost caught in a situation that we have already experienced and that we have still not corrected. So we will rework and insist. We had a reaction with very positive aspects, mentally, tactically and interesting in the finishing phases. We will insist on anchoring them, being stronger and being able to build on them from the first second but not only in the second half. »