In a San Siro full as an egg, no one honestly imagined that the man of this Italy-France would be Lucas Digne. Particularly because the regular, Théo Hernandez, was expected as a starter in the left lane on a lawn where he knows every blade of grass. Yes, but here it is: during the disappointing draw against Israel, the Milanese piston was once again insipid and carefully maintained his legend as a two-faced player, sometimes unpredictable, sometimes invisible. So, to take revenge on the Blue teamDidier Deschamps had decided to change his mind by starting Lucas Digne. A nice gift for the 50the selection of the native of Meaux, who responded.
A side far from being left
With two caviars for the head of Adrien Rabiot – another great man of the evening – Lucas Digne reminded us that his left foot could be a lethal weapon in addition to his defensive talents. By adjusting his sights on a corner then on a free kick, with trajectories worthy of a Spice Girl's husband, the Aston Villa full-back allowed the Blues to become dangerous again from set pieces. It's simple: the three goals of the evening were scored in this area of play. Moreover, how can we not talk about the marvel of a direct free kick kicked by Lucas Digne which ended up in the back of the net after hitting the bar then the back of Guglielmo Vicario? The regulations are cruel, attributing the own goal to the Italian goalkeeper, but all the credit obviously goes to the Frenchman.
Lucas Digne will therefore not become the first French scorer from a direct free kick since Paul Pogba against Russia in 2018, even if he considers – rightly – this goal “at 50%” for him. “Nkunku wanted to shoot it, I told him to wait to see the wall and the position of the goalkeeper. I work on it every week at Aston Villa and I repeat this move, usually closer. Afterwards, when the foot is warm, it fits”savored the former Parisian at the microphone of TF1, who actually had his feet sharp against the Italians. If he would have swapped his two assists and his almost first goal in the Blues for one clean-sheetby his own admission, Lucas Digne still appeared very smiling after his evening performance. Which should, in the coming months, weigh on the mind of Didier Deschamps.
The oldest of the Blues
“Since the start of the season, the coach has trusted me at every meeting, so it’s up to me to respond. I played the last three big matches, it’s a pleasure to be present”soberly savored the one who actually started against Belgium, and on the lawn of San Siro. « There is competition: Théo is a little worse, Lucas plays every other match… I tell him things, based on what he does at the club and with us. Over a week, when we can give everyone playing time…”for his part reacted Deschamps, very evasive about the future of Lucas Digne and the hierarchy at his position in Blues. A future that Lucas Digne, the oldest international in the locker room since his first selection in March 2014, still imagines to be distant: “I'm 31, I'm young… It's okay, I feel good! »
In a rejuvenated French group, in the middle of a project “reoxygenation” – as repeated since the end of the summer by DD and his staff -, the one who participated in the Brazilian epic of 2014, Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 displays a CV that few current residents of Clairefontaine have. And this, even if Lucas Digne was not invited to the last two World Cups nor to Euro 2024. With now 9 assists in 50 selections, but above all an impeccable state of mind, this faithful soldier often sacrificed and underperformed. side by a public which has long had it in the nose can he finally settle in with the Blues? It's difficult to get wet as destiny often seems to tease Lucas Digne, sometimes taking away from him for no reason what he deserves. Like this sublime free kick, against Italy. One thing is certain: his fiftieth selection, more than complete, truly shuffles the cards.
Digne: “This match will serve as a reference”
