a disastrous spectacle but the qualification, the Blues did the bare minimum

At the Stade de France

Ultimately, the public was right to shun this France-Israel. Above all, he didn’t miss anything, except a pathetic spectacle of borrowed Blues, without ideas and incapable of beating the 81st world selection (0-0). If the essential is done – still happily – with the qualification for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, the meager audience at the Stade de France (16,611 spectators) had almost nothing to eat. Between ultra-tightened security around the match, a low quality match, few incidents except the start of a scuffle that quickly calmed down in the first half, the evening will quickly be forgotten. On Sunday, France will challenge Italy with the idea of ​​showing another face.

We might as well be honest right away, the first act was unworthy of the France team. A sclerotic selection, a game that is too academic and elements not up to the level to try to excite and wake up a gloomy Stade de France. The Blues, for forty-five minutes, showed themselves to be sluggish, disappointing and incapable of waking the meager audience from the torpor who came to brave a context which encouraged them to stay at home. Faced with a very weak opponent and eager not to repeat the same volley as in Budapest last month (1-4), Deschamps’ gang did nothing to enthuse the first act.

A lethargic French team, an uninspired coach

Fault also on the coach, with a team composition not offensive enough, and in particular this question around the placement of Warren Zaire Emery, positioned in number 10… which he is not. In difficulty with his back to the game, almost never found in the launch zones, the PSG Titi experienced an ordeal on the Dionysian lawn. In his defense, no one helped him, like Olise, Barcola or even Kanté-Camavinga and the amorphous full-backs. Faced with such an opponent, the (meager) public could have been rewarded for their presence with a little more madness. It didn’t happen.

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Three opportunities to get your teeth into… Far too few for the Blues

What followed was barely more enjoyable in a Stade de France that looked like a municipal stadium on Thursday evening. The only moment where the public was able to warm up a little, on two long shots from Camavinga, a missed goal opportunity by Zaire Emery at the end of the game (76th) and a header from Thuram (90+2nd), as well as a strike from Nkunku (90+6th). It’s far too little when we’re called the French team and we advance with the status of vice-world champions. Faced with this collective lethargy, the coach, who was observed to be more talkative on the sidelines, tried to wake everyone up with coaching after the hour mark (entries into play by Rabiot, Nkunku, Coman, Thuram…). It didn’t do anything. It wasn’t evening.

A final to play against Italy despite everything

Finally, the Blues were connected with the context of this match. Morose and tasteless. Qualification for the quarter-finals of the Nations League is validated with this draw (0-0). As for the content and emotions, we will have to go over it again. Without creativity, nor risk-taking and a game that was far too academic, the partners of N’Golo Kanté, captain for one evening, were painful to watch. The reconstruction operation, with the absence of Mbappé and the retirement of Griezmann, promises to be the immense project of the weeks and months to come. This is good, Sunday in Milan against Italy, victorious over Belgium (1-0) Thursday evening, the Blues have the opportunity to play for first place in the group. Much more will have to be offered to close out 2024.