5 questions about the expected return of the Blues

Is the French team aware that it needs to re-enchant the public after the Euro?

Yes and no. Internally, the Blues staff, some of whom have watched all the Euro matches, are aware of having to put on a show after the boring game played in Germany despite a semi-final against Spain (defeated 2-1). In front of the microphones, it’s a different story.We have to question ourselves, but I think that the results should not be thrown away and the picture painted as a bad one.“, assumes Jules Koundé. The same goes for Didier Deschamps, under contract until 2026.

«There may be disappointed people but they like it.French team and they support her. It’s up to us to maintain that connection, to cultivate it. The players need that love and that support“With the wave of happiness of the Olympic Games, the simplicity of the Olympic heroes, the players of the French team must rekindle the flame. This requires victory, play, smiles and risk-taking. Dare you?

What’s new for the Blues?

In the group of 23, there are three newcomers to the selection: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Manu Koné (AS Roma) and Loïc Badé (FC Seville). The first mentioned, a real attraction of this gathering after his silver medal at the Olympics, has all the cards to settle in the French team. He could have played for England, Nigeria or even Algeria, his parents’ country of origin, but he chose France. And so much the better.

With his left foot, his reading of the game, his nerve, Olise is a real fine football player. We saw it during the Games where he was the strategist of the formation of “Titi” Henry. “You ain’t seen nothing yet”, said the 1998 world champion about the player trained in England and who kept the British accent.

Also readFrance rather than England, short answers, “normal person”… The unprecedented press conference of Michael Olise, new nugget of the Blues

In a French team that lacks creative players, Michael Olise, 22, arrives at the best of times. It is anything but insignificant that he starts Friday night at the Parc des Princes as soon as he arrives in the national team. The time has come. It is up to him not to miss the mark. As for the other two (Koné and Badé), they owe their presence to absences and are still far from being able to dream of a guaranteed place in the group of 23.

Which team will Didier Deschamps field?

The will is clear and displayed since last Thursday and the announcement of the list of 23 for this international sequence. Faced with overloaded calendars, the boss of the Blues does not want to add to it. After what he saw at the Euro, with some players out of breath (Mbappé, Griezmann …), “DD” will rotate between Friday and Monday.

On Thursday evening on the Parc des Princes pitch, during the closed-door session, an attack with Mbappé at the forefront, with Olise behind him, Kolo Muani on the right and Barcola on the left was lined up. Fofana and Kanté in the middle. In defense, classic, apart from Koundé replaced by Clauss. Deschamps’ idea will be to open his group with fresh elements (Olise, Barcola) and experience (Mbappé, Kanté, defensive base…). In Décines against Belgium, it will be a different story.

Also readFrance-Italy: Olise thrown in at the deep end with Kolo Muani and Barcola, Griezmann on the bench?

What is Italy worth?

Not much. At the Euro in Germany, the Italian selection was pitifully eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland (2-0). Another failure after not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. How far away the title of European champion won in 2021 against England is. The Squadra Azura suffers from a cruel lack of talent. Apart from Gianluigi Donnarumma, no player is in the world’s top 6 in his position. For the trip to Paris, Luciano Spaletti did not call up Jorginho, Acerbi, Darmian and must do without the services of Barella, Chiesa, but can count on the return of Tonali in midfield. If Italy remains a great football nation by its history and track record (4 world champion titles, 2 Euro), on paper, it is no longer a big name that scares its opponents.

Why is this match being played at the Parc des Princes?

Since June 19, 2023 and a victory against Greece with a goal from Mbappé, the French team has not played at the Stade de France. Bis repetita Friday evening with a poster at the Parc des Princes in front of 45,000 spectators and Monday against Belgium on the Décines side at the Groupama Stadium. The reason is simple, between the work in the Saint-Denis stadium, the Olympic Games and now the Paralympics, it is impossible for the Blues to play in their usual garden. It will be over on November 14 with the reception of Israel – perhaps behind closed doors.