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Coming into this month’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, there have been many questions over France after their sudden run to the FIFA 2022 World Cup closing. Didier Deschamps stayed on however misplaced two key gamers in Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane which meant not solely a tactical rethink but additionally a brand new captain. Paris Saint-Germain famous person Kylian Mbappe has crammed that management void whereas Mike Maignan is the brand new French No. 1.
The Netherlands had been disposed of 4-0 nevertheless it was a slender 1-0 victory for Les Bleus in Dublin as they made it six factors from six. Three targets inside 21 minutes towards the Dutch at Stade de France was spectacular regardless of some key Oranje absentees nevertheless it was extra of a scrap in Ireland with the hosts dominant at instances. Deschamps’ males are 100% after two video games, although, so already in charge of Group B regardless of Greece’s one win from one sport performed up to now.
So how are France trying in 2023?
Kylian Mbappe thriving in new function
With two targets and an help towards the Netherlands, the 24-year-old made an excellent begin to life as France skipper. Mbappe was quieter towards the Irish however there have been nonetheless a couple of flashes of hazard from the PSG man. It is early days however he has settled into his new function nicely and though issues will not be solely convincing up high, he’ll at all times pose a risk to opponents.
Antoine Griezmann stays productive
Being ignored by Deschamps for the captaincy may have had an hostile affect on the squad chemistry however the 32-year-old remained skilled and wanted simply two minutes to attain towards the Dutch. Griezmann was a central determine once more in Dublin and his relationship with Mbappe has proven no indicators of irreparable injury up to now in these opening two outings.
Mike Maignan anchors protection
The huge success story from this early worldwide break got here between the sticks the place Deschamps opted for Maignan as Lloris’ long-term substitute and was instantly justified. The AC Milan shot stopper made a sensational late save to maintain France forward late on at Aviva Stadium and the Irish would have drawn had the 27-year-old not been so agile. Factor in Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate in entrance of him and it’s an nearly solely new central defensive core for Les Bleus which has handed two early exams.
Adrien Rabiot bosses midfield
The Juventus midfielder has carried his spectacular Qatar kind over into 2023 and he’s now rising as an integral member of this French setup at 27. Rabiot paired with Aurelien Tchouameni from the beginning in a single sport and with Eduardo Camavinga within the different which means that Deschamps is definite about him whereas he decides who to play alongside him with Griezmann larger up. It is an analogous story in protection with Benjamin Pavard again within the image and on the rating sheet towards Ireland whereas Jules Kounde began towards the Netherlands.
Randal Kolo Muani struggles
Arguably probably the most work to be performed forward of the following set of worldwide fixtures is figuring out methods to get the entrance line working higher with Mbappe alone in his success this month. Randal Kolo Muani struggled to copy the identical type of affect we noticed from him instead within the World Cup whereas Olivier Giroud feels one thing of an ungainly match with the Eintracht Frankfurt man and Mbappe. Thankfully for Deschamps, he has the PSG man to supply that high quality going ahead however Ireland confirmed that France’s thrashing of the Netherlands was not fairly the assertion it may need appeared on the time.
