Committed to the knockout phase of Euro 2024, the Blues have prepared for this final stretch like rarely before.
After a sluggish group stage marked by a narrow victory over Austria (1-0), a goalless draw against the Netherlands and a lackluster sharing of points with Poland (1-1), Blues get down to business on Monday at
Euro 2024 with on the menu for the round of 16 a Belgium which hardly shone more on its side.
To prepare for this direct elimination phase, Didier Deschamps would have reviewed his plans and his principles. In any case if we are to believe Ibrahima Konaté who this Saturday at a press conference made a strange confession regarding possible penalties to be negotiated: “ Of course, it’s something we think about. And yes, we work on penalty kicks… »
Deschamps has revised his position
A real revolution if we consider the still recent comments of the national coach on the subject: “ The emotional side, the public, the positioning of the shooters, nothing can be prepared. Then between what you can predict and what happens, like the last session against Argentina where all the planned shooters were no longer on the fieldthe Bayonne technician whispered last November. Afterwards, if the best shooters shoot 1, 2, 3, 4 in training, why not? But I’m not convinced that it does much. This is why I don’t do specific sessions. »
Not long ago, National Technical Director Hubert Fournier regretted this course of action by Didier Deschamps, causing a mini controversy within the French Football Federation. An event which perhaps pushed the latter to reconsider his point of view. For sure, the Blues are now better armed in this exercise since Mike Maignan is considered much more comfortable in duels at 11 meters than Hugo Lloris was.
