French team: “Perhaps a blessing in disguise…” hopes former TFC coach Philippe Montanier who debriefs the draw against Israel

For your 60th birthday (he celebrated it this Friday), you were entitled to a nice purge, right?
We coaches always look with an eye to learn lessons. Even if it's true that it wasn't the match of the year. The context was not very favorable either. In the meantime, the production has confirmed some of my beliefs.

That's to say ?
Faced with a low bloc like Israel, we need movement, going beyond our functions; combined play remains the best weapon. The opportunities happened there. With the actions of Kanté in the first (21, cross shot released by goalkeeper Peretz) or Théo Hernandez in the second (53, fleeing center into the area which does not find a taker), we see clearly that when the momentum comes from behind, that immediately creates danger.

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Is this the worst copy of the Blues in a long time?
I don't know, I don't keep the register (smile). Afterwards, what still speaks for France is reading the stats. In the first leg, the match was more or less of the same type – except that you capitalized at the end of the game (4-1 victory but goals in the 87th and 89th^es). Always the same film: as long as you don't find the opening, the flaw, it reinforces the opposing formation which is fighting, which believes in its chances. Who doesn't give up.

There was no rhythm, no intensity, no creativity; In short, everything was missing!
Not wrong, the observation is there. This France-Israel will not go down in history. When you think that our evening opponent, 81^e in the Fifa ranking, is overtaken by the Sultanate of Oman (80^e)… Now it's a matter of looking for what could have changed the situation. We can talk about team composition, for example: facing a 5-man defense, would it have been wise to play with wingers instead of full-backs? Then…

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Oui…
I would have liked, in the last quarter of an hour, for the centrals to move up in order to achieve numerical superiority; that the environments project themselves more; that the eccentrics double; that we have one-twos, triangle play. This is also what happened, not enough, in our two highlights: start of the second period and added time. It's not easy, obviously, against a team that leaves little space both on the sides and in the center. That's why I also appreciated some good calls from Kolo Muani, when the Israelis ventured to go out.

It looked like a handball match, in the end.
Clearly. And, what's more, when you were able to find solutions, the goalkeeper was there. Can't wait for Sunday and the opposition against Italy! The match will allow us to assess the current level of the French team in terms of results, of course, and especially in terms of play. There is the carrot – the Blues can still finish first in the group provided they win by two goals; there is also prestige. The Squadra Azzurra came to win brilliantly at the Parc des Princes (3-1, 06/09); the opportunity to show that we have what it takes. We are in a period of transition with quite a few executives leaving, let's not forget that. This meeting can allow us to reach a new level.

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Worrying all the same, this lack of enthusiasm?
It's true that with the young players incorporated, we should encounter more audacity.

Let’s dissect it by line: Maignan…
(he cuts) I could have put on the gloves: no shot or just one, no cross.

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Defensively, same, RAS. The midfield, on the other hand, gave pride of place to N'Golo Kanté.
I find that we are distorting our level. Because it is rather a great chance that he plays in Saudi Arabia because, like that, he is not obliged to play high intensity matches all the time and, thus, have a busy schedule. So, in Blue, it arrives very fresh.

Zaire-Emery in No. 10, what do you think?
First of all, I'm not sure that we have an interchangeable leader on hand with Antoine (Griezmann). So we have to find another formula. Hence the tests carried out by Didier Deschamps.

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Olise against Israel in September and Guendouzi in Belgium were not more prominent in the same role…
Didier uses somewhat harassing environments, which move around a lot. Quite simply because today he does not have a No. 10 who would come close to Antoine. The problem is that both have a box-to-box profile: effective when they come from behind, less with their backs to goal. No, I insist, I do not see a French player, currently, with the volume of play and the intelligence required. Let's rely on other strengths.

At the front, once again, no one scored points?
Barcola, we expect him to eliminate; problem, in this type of match, he often faces a two-handed hold. Kolo Muani, I was talking about it, tries to stretch the defense but was of little use. Thuram? He has never been a potential starter, so lacks automatisms and connections.

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In Didier Deschamps' place, what changes would you make for Sunday?
It is not a question of adapting to the opponent, there are nevertheless characteristics to take into consideration to field an XI capable of performing. Didier is spoiled for choice. Everywhere. He has some very good club players, but no excellent national players – yet. The nuance is important. Apart from Jules Koundé, whom I had in France U20 (2017-2018 season), no one has outperformed in the French team. I also deliberately put Adrien Rabiot on the sidelines, given his experience. On the other hand, in my opinion, the incumbents are not so untouchable. In any case, I will be in front of my TV on Sunday evening, because I can't wait to see the reaction of the Blues! A good test, really. Ultimately, it may be a blessing in disguise, who knows?