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As a World Cup draws to a close, myths and mysticism are invoked to explain what has happened. The curse of the title and the victory in Confed Cup for example, the frequency of the world champions of certain groups or any historical parallel. Tuesday night, France took the opportunity to make a quick race at the Krestowski Stadium in St. Petersburg. She remembered the only title of the World Cup so far in 1998 – and she says a lot about the finalists in 2018.
Three different defenders for France recently met at the championship of the world at home. Bixente Lizarazu in the group, Laurent Blanc by Golden Goal in the round of 16 against Paraguay, Lilian Thuram even twice in the semifinal against Croatia. In Russia, defenders did not have less influence. Without the spectacular direct defeat of Benjamin Pavard 1: 2 against Argentina, France would have been home for a long time, Raphaël Varane leading the first goal against Uruguay and his partner in defense Central, Samuel Umtiti, only goal 1-0 against Belgium. The Barcelona man also convinced by the tightest statement: "We have done what we have to do," he said.
It was indeed possible to break what was not even disputed by the French themselves.
Paul Pogba provided another small summary: "We were very strong in the back, and thanks to a corner, we continued to go from the front." Antoine Griezmann had asked coach Didier Deschamps the corresponding variant who also adhered to the general style: "We did what we wanted: working in a team." A fellow striker Olivier Giroud added: "We were rigorous in the defense, including the attackers."
It seemed so thoughtful that some would like to return to the chaotic Argentineans or even to the hysterical Neymar. But this World Cup now belongs to the Europeans – as clearly demonstrated by the clearly mauve atmosphere of the stadium.
The French are a typical representative of the organization and pragmatism. A young team that still does not play with the enthusiasm of young teams, but with the routine that their top professionals bring to the best continental clubs. "Football is not just an attack, it's a decision in the details," continued Pogba, 25, who knows this as a club kicker for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
It is also sometimes said of their teams what Thibaut Courtois said to the French: "To make short: they play anti-football." Belgium, disappointed by its guardian, carried out his badysis but always. "We lost against a team that does not have a style of play that just defends.It's a pity for football." Or: "I'd rather give up against Brazil – a team that dares to play to football, and that was probably better than us.France is not, and this defeat so has a taste so bitter. "
Falling in love with French football is not easy even for more neutral observers. But the team wants to become world champion and follows the customary traditions of the last 20 years, where often only the magic of Zinedine Zidane surpbaded a similar result. The previous finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, France, reached three goals in the group stage and two 1-0 victories in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The world champions of 1998 under Aimé Jacquet played everything but Hurrafußball. It's not for nothing that France is the land of Descartes and rationalism – and prefers to form midfielders whose obvious advantages are athleticism and dual strength. The Little and Karembeus – and Deschamps! – or Makelélés and Vieiras of formerly are now called Blaise Matuidi, N ° Golo Kanté or Pogba. A game designer such as Parisian Adrien Rabiot took Deschamps off the team. For the ball to circulate at any moment, Griezmann must drop in the middle of the field. The top scorer of the 2016 European Championship feels good, he knows so well the defensive style of his club, Atletico Madrid. "I knew better than my teammates," he said after the match against Belgium. The Umtiti corner comes from him.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé acts as a deterrent: for fear of his counterattack, Belgians have often moved away from the very last risk. In addition, with two magnificent models, the 19-year-old also showed that France can be more than fighting and dynamism. However, the stiff Giroud could not use the badists.
One can only guess what this team could play, instead of Giroud, the elegant and technically perfect Karim Benzema should dig the holes for Griezmann and Mbappé. Since the case "badtape" for blackmail of former international Mathieu Valbuena, the center forward of Real Madrid at Deschamps no longer occurs. And, at least in terms of results, the coach is doing very well.
As a long time defensive strategist, the former sweeper of this World Cup can undoubtedly train for his forces without the obligation of a home tournament. Each tactic is adapted to each opponent, as pointed out by the players. "The coach really knows how to tackle the games," Varane said. "He gives us the idea, he shows us the way." Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, against Uruguay with a decisive runaway after a shot by Toby Alderweireld, added: "The coach's plan was perfect again."
Deschamps, In 1998, Mário Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer, the only captain and proletarian of Jacquet, can now become world champions as players and coaches. For this, the trauma of the lost final of the 2016 European Championship must be overcome, France being as surprising as it is unlucky against Portugal. "It's still there with us all," says Deschamps. Regulars were at that time only Mbappé and side Pavard and Lucas Hernández not yet there.
However, night gamblers from St. Petersburg did not seem too thinpielpanisch. Captain Lloris immediately pointed to a potentially decisive difference. "In 2016, we played the semifinal against Germany on Thursday, we barely had time to recover.This time it's different.We can prepare the final in peace." The tactics possible ? "We are a fairly complete team, we can play different styles."
Tuesday's man had not only completely ruined Courtois, but also the longest and most entertaining player of the evening, Eden Hazard. "France played the same thing all the time, only defended", complained the artist dribbling. His "Red Devils", however, were perhaps the best team in the World Cup. "I prefer to lose with this Belgium than with this French victory."
Indeed, Belgium is the tournament's best offensive team – 14 goals – and remains the French iron defense with only four goals conceded (three of them in a match). Nothing you would not have seen again and again in 88 years of history at the World Cup. "If you want to succeed in a tournament, you need solid foundations, especially on the defensive," said Lloris. The World Cup Surprises is still flourishing of a conventional end.
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