Led by its leader Kylian Mbappé, scorer and passer, the France team won the first of its two preparation matches for Euro-2024 (June 14 – July 14) against Luxembourg (3-0), Wednesday at Metz. Twelve days before their entry into contention against Austria, on June 17 in Düsseldorf, the Blues have not succeeded in everything but they have done the essential to avoid thinking too much in the run-up to the European Championship. Although logically there is still work to be done to arrive in optimal shape in Germany, Didier Deschamps has reason to be reassured about the state of his troops who have only been gathered in Clairefontaine for a short week.
Clauss scorer
Opposed to a Luxembourg team most often grouped together in their own half, the vice-world champions were especially able to count on their captain to easily dominate their opponent and avoid an unpleasant surprise a few days before the big continental meeting. Positioned most often in the center, Mbappé caused great harm to the defenders of the Grand Duchy and was at the origin of the first French goal, scored with a header by his ex-PSG teammate Randal Kolo Muani (43rd), before to score the third on an offering from another Parisian Bradley Barcola (85th), his 47th achievement with the French team.
Jonathan Clauss, for his part, had doubled the lead just before with a magnificent strike from the edge of the area (70th). The formalization of his transfer to Real Madrid on Monday seems to have freed the 2018 world champion, who seemed to be dragging his spleen in recent months. In particular, he was coming off two performances unworthy of his talent in blue, against Germany (2-0 defeat) and Chile.
Mbappé found
But Mbappé suddenly found the desire again, multiplying the races and threatening the Luxembourg cage on numerous occasions (4th, 6th, 26th, 47th, 74th). Before Kolo Muani opened the score, he had already managed to perfectly beat Antoine Griezmann whose attempt had hit the post (13th). Kolo Muani’s 4th achievement in 16 caps will also do the Parisian a world of good, who is coming off a very delicate club season. It seems that the ex-Frankfurt player is much more comfortable when he puts on the France team jersey. Already a scorer and decisive passer against Chile in a friendly in March (3-2), Kolo Muani has once again justified the confidence of Didier Deschamps and will arrive at the Euro with boosted morale.
The match was also an opportunity to reunite with N’Golo Kanté, whose last appearance for the French team dates back to June 3, 2022. The player from Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), started in the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, took his place in the middle with calm and did not really have to force his talent. We will therefore have to wait for the returns of Tchouaméni, who is recovering from an injury to his left foot, and Rabiot, who has been spared, to assess what exactly his role will be during the next European Championship and find out if Deschamps has called him back to play. luxury understudies or to be part of the starting eleven.
Regarding the central hinge, however, there is no doubt. It is with the Konaté-Upamecano duo, aligned from the start in Metz, that the coach will undoubtedly attack the Euro. The other questions will undoubtedly be answered during the last friendly match before leaving for Germany, Sunday in Bordeaux against Canada (9:15 p.m.).
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