Where are the leaders?
There are only two of them left. Two 2018 world champions called up by Didier Deschamps. And we cannot say that Alphonse Areola, third goalkeeper, and Ousmane Dembélé, intermittent entertainer for the Blues, are captains in the selection. If everything is a matter of context, the international retirements which follow one another (Lloris, Mandanda, Varane, Giroud and now Griezmann) mark the shift from one generation to another.
The problem is reinforced by the absence of Kylian Mbappé who was called in sick after an injury to his left hamstring contracted at club, which did not prevent him from playing last weekend in the championship with Real Madrid. A totally disastrous episode in terms of communication, since Didier Deschamps had explained that he wanted to “preserve” it, and which also deprived the French team of leadership of his captain.
If we add the package of N’Golo Kanté (adductors), an Adrien Rabiot too tight to make his return, the sidelines of Benjamin Pavard and Kingsley Coman, it’s a nice group of executives who are missing for this October gathering. Stripped of all this international experience, it is an opportunity for the new generation to assert themselves and for certain leaders to emerge, both on and off the field.
“There is room,” confirmed the coach. But we don’t replace Antoine or Kylian in the blink of an eye. This group is young, has quality but still needs to confirm. » This sequence of around ten days could nevertheless be a turning point in the modern history of the Blues.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, named captain, will have his role to play. “It is with great pride that I take on this responsibility. A captain must be an example on and off the field, listen and bring people together, described the Madrilenian on Wednesday in Budapest. The important thing is to all move in the same direction to be as efficient as possible. »
How to play without Griezmann?
Since his first selection, on March 5, 2014 against the Netherlands, Antoine Griezmann had not missed… any official meeting of the France team! The Mâconnais had only missed six friendly matches. This means that the Blues have lost a major player, although less sparkling in 2024. So, how can we replace the one who has always been at the heart of the reactor to the point of establishing a record with 84 matches played consecutively under the Deschamps era? ?
“It is not possible to replace him with position for position,” decides the coach. His technical quality and volume of play made him a special player. We will not copy and paste but the system can remain the same. »
Long identified as a potential successor, Christopher Nkunku has been hampered by injuries for two years. As for Michael Olise, although his creative potential is undeniable, he has only just arrived at the A’s and should not be over-responsible at 22 years old. If these two players are expected to set foot on the pitch at the Bozsik Arena, it is more collectively than individually that France will have to find the solution, a project to which it had already tackled during this year following the downgrading of ” Grizou.”
Continue after Belgium
The French team is not going through a prosperous period in terms of play. Its Euro was mediocre despite a certain sporting success (semi-final) and the first two days of the Nations League did not remove doubts. Notably the match against Italy (1-3) which was abysmal poor if we except the first quarter of an hour.
The expected reaction of pride took place against Belgium, dominated and beaten in Décines by exhilarated world vice-champions. From now on, we must continue in Budapest against modest Israel (79e nation in the FIFA rankings) which has already lost twice in Hungary. After having blown an entry joker, the Blues would find themselves in difficulty in the event of a poor performance. If qualification for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations is not crucial, a good run in the competition would make it possible to somewhat lighten the schedule of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the declared objective of the French staff.
Before going to Brussels on Monday for a meeting that is perhaps already decisive, it would be better to have stocked up in Hungary to be in a position of strength.
Israel has its head elsewhere
Like Ukraine, Israel is playing while it is currently at war. A situation far from obvious for captain Dor Peretz. “The situation is very difficult at the moment. We can’t even imagine how difficult it is. We hope that the hostages (abducted by Hamas) will return soon. We are proud to represent Israel, it is a privilege to play for our country and we want to give hope to our fans. »
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On the French side, we are not insensitive to the context either, as Ibrahima Konaté suggested on Tuesday and Aurélien Tchouaméni recalled in a pre-match press conference. “We can’t ignore it, no one cares about it in the team. But it remains a football match above all and it is very important for us. »
It is also for the men of Ran Ben Shimon, already defeated twice in this League of Nations. To motivate his players, the coach can talk to them about Israel’s exploit at the Parc des Princes in 1993 since he was one of the heroes. But priorities have changed over the past year. “We have no right to complain or talk about difficulties. We must switcher when we enter the field between what is happening in our personal lives and the concentration that an international match requires. We have to do our best. »
The number
19
It has been more than 19 years since the Blues last faced Israel in an official match. The last double confrontation on the road to the 2006 World Cup resulted in two draws (1-1, 0-0). The two selections have faced each other nine times, eight times in the elimination phase after the first inaugural friendly match, and France has only won four times.
But we no longer remember his only defeat (2-3), on October 13, 1993 at the Parc des Princes, which contributed to his non-qualification for the American World Cup. “It reminds me of a period that was far from being the happiest,” said Didier Deschamps when looking back on this episode. It’s a very good memory for Israel, for us it’s more painful. »
Since this snub, the Tricolores have never missed a final phase of the World Cup (7) and Euro (8).
