The reigning world champions were defeated by Denmark by a score of 2-0 on the last day of the League of Nations tournament on Sunday in Copenhagen.
Envoy Special to the City of Copenhagen
A dismal tone before the World Cup. in substantial widths. Even though we may refer to ourselves as the France squad and wear two stars on our shirts, that is not enough to win games for us. The Blues were far too weakened by an incredible cascade of injuries (Lloris, Pogba, Benzema…), far too feverish with a collective that took on water from all sides, and far too tender given certain performances that were unworthy of the high international level, so it was only logical that they would lose Sunday evening against Denmark (2-0), in Copenhagen, after the League of Nations.
Even if we are certain that we will not see the same team again on November 22 in Doha to start the World Cup ahead of Australia, which is reassuring, we will still have to remember this evening when flying to Qatar, where the Blues will not be able to say that they have not been warned if they have a relapse. If they do relapse, we will have to remember this evening.
Check out also The notes of the blues in Denmark: Camavinga was shipwrecked, and Upamecano drinks (still) the cup.
Didier Deschamps made a gamble by starting such an unproven defense (13 different combinations for the Saliba-Upamecano-Badiashile trio before kickoff), but he came up on the wrong side of the outcome. When the boat started to pitch in the middle of the first period, the French camp did not have a boss who could step in for Raphael Varane (29 years old, 87 selections), who was spared. This made it impossible for the French camp to find a replacement for Raphael, direct him, and demonstrate their authority. Especially on corners, where there is an almost systemic risk of Dane violence. However, right before the two goals scored by the other team in the last semi-final of the Euro, the Blues had shown a desire to play, to carry the danger in front of the goal of Schmeichel (8th, 15th, 18th, 19th), and they had the opportunity to open the scoring.
However, the Blues had started well …
But the scenario that has taken place hundreds of times before, in which the team that is dominant surprises its opponent, took place once again in the heat of Parken Stadium with the goal of Dolberg (1-0, 34th), who was loaned to Seville by Nice. Then, in the stride of the logical punishment on a corner with Skov Olsen (2-0, 39th), who took advantage of the defensive wreckage of the world champions. At this level, bad behavior cannot be forgiven. And significant of the challenges faced by the French team as a whole, which is in a state of disarray with many members who are enduring great suffering (Pavard, Saliba, Upamecano, Camavinga…), some of whom may have lost their spot in the World Cup, which will take place from November 20 to December 18 on Sunday evening. If it were necessary, proof that the extremely high level does not excuse the approximation would have to be shown.
See also Didier Deschamps’ analysis of the League of Nations, in which he says, “We were too naive, it’s still a booster shot.”
In the Danish fury with an atmosphere of fantastic evenings despite the cold of the North, the changes that Didier Deschamps made (Clauss and Fofana from the break in place of Saliba and Camavinga, then Nkunku-Truffert for Giroud-Mendy) will not have done anything to make the game any different. Because in the end, it was a true one-way evening as the three successive times of Kylian Mbappé (66th, 68th, and 70th) that were stopped by Kasper Schmeichel, much more in legs in the country with the support of 37,000 supporters in the heat than in Nice. Even after the departure of Griezmann (in the 81st minute, who was replaced by Kolo Muani), who wore the armband for the first time, the Blues will conclude the match with the Parisian striker captain. This is because the Blues have a team that is much too inexperienced to hope to reverse the trend.
“DD” and his troops will finally feel relieved after their final nightmare meeting before the World Cup in Qatar if they can achieve just one satisfaction. The victory of Croatia over Austria (1-3), which prevents the current champions of France from being demoted to League B, came about as a result of the match. Small consolation. And on a truly discordant note 55 days before the beginning of the World Cup.