[ad_1]
So, we are in the semifinals. It was the goal of Didier Deschamps by the French Federation, so he can nod and say that the job is done but now we are in the last four, the tournament really begins.
We are two more wins than a second star on the France jersey and we have the quality to go to the end, especially if Kylian Mbappé continues to play as he has. been in the last two games. Like just about everyone, I was really impressed by him.
The Argentinians were not very fast and left large spaces that allowed Mbappé to express his pace and to show how dangerous he could be. The way Argentina played, with a high level defense and slow defenders, was almost too good to be true from a French point of view.
I was really looking forward to seeing how he would take up the challenge of playing Uruguay, which we knew would defend him more deeply, leave him less room and try to overthrow him.
But even with less room to maneuver we have seen how useful Mbappé can be. From the start, he took the defenders, seeking to create a danger with his close control, acceleration and dribbling. I was impressed by the way he went to them from the beginning. Deschamps clearly told him to express himself, to entertain himself, and that is how he has to play.
Some criticized him for what they thought was a touch of Neymars in the second half, but you just have to do with his exuberance – he's at the World Cup, playing huge games that the whole world is watching and it's amusing – that's fine. (That said, I may have taken another point of view as a defender.)
I liked the way Mbappé was physically strong, resisted the opposition and could resist in a physical battle. He is not afraid, and that is what reminds me of Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet of 1998.
They also had this insouciance and ambition that allowed them to perform on the biggest stage of the world. world. I remember the shootout against Italy in the quarterfinals when they showed up to take a penalty when some of their more experienced teammates really did not want to – me included. And they both scored
It's early to compare Mbappé with Pele or Thierry Henry, although I understand the need to find parallels. At the same age, I would say that Thierry did not have the same ability as Mbappé but he had intelligence, brains and the desire to become the best.
I think Mbappé also has everything he needs to become great. I have high hopes for him and he continues to progress as he has done over the past year, he will have an incredible career. Even though he has 75 percent of Henry's career, it would be great. But, really, there are no limits.
Great Faith
Mbappé is in a club where he will be treated and his talent will be nurtured. What he does next is vital.
Who knows what could happen if Cristiano Ronaldo decides to go to Juventus and Real Madrid wants to recruit Mbappé? I remember that Henry left Monaco for Juventus and that it did not really work for him. He made the right choice to join Arsenal and find a manager who would help bring out the best in him. That's why the choices are so important.
Mbappé needs time and we must not rush him. But I have great confidence in his ability to succeed because I can see the work that he does for the collective. He offers solutions with his races, his willingness to make himself available and even to take shots for the team.
In France, some fans criticized Antoine Griezmann because he did not celebrate his goal against Uruguay. He explained that he has a lot of very close friends who are Uruguayan, who helped shape his career and people who are very close in his personal life, like Diego Godin, the godfather of the daughter of Griezmann, so I'm not too worried
He had an uneven performance in this match and still has not finished a match at this World Cup, but seven goals in his last six knockout matches , at the Euro 2016 and here at this World Cup, show us that he is a big-game player. Although he was a little lucky with his goal against Uruguay because of the awkward goalkeeper, it's a timely reminder of the importance of shooting at the target.
One of the great qualities of Didier is the way he controls his team. That's the boss. He has been forced to change a lot of players since Euro 2016 and yet he found compatibility among those he chose. Didier also has the intelligence to give space to his players – you will not find him teaching young people what he was up to today. He's too smart for that. And he is reaping the rewards for his approach. You can see players believe in him and what he does.
A Great Credit
What impressed me the most against Uruguay, is the way we controlled the game. Some of the younger ones are very mature and I was very impressed to see how well this France team handled things once the second goal was achieved. Physically too, players seem dominant. Our defenders have been hard on the tackle, our central defenders have ordered – I've seen that Luis Suárez has never touched the ball in France's penalty area and you have to congratulate our guys for that.
I have the impression that, physically, our team still has a little pedal and that is what encourages me for the match against Belgium because we will need to this extra energy. Nobody really pushed us for the moment. And with N & # 39; Golo Kanté protecting the defense like no one else at this World Cup – which player – we are solid at the back.
Belgium, however, had two big games that could give it an advantage against France. While we have not yet been fully tested, they have gone through exams of their talent and character that can give them some confidence.
Coming from behind to beat Japan, change game plans, find winning solutions in a dramatic style as they did give a huge push to a team. It also gives you conviction.
And they have just eliminated tournament favorites, a good Brazilian team, which is another big advantage for the Belgians. Their confidence will be high and rightly so. They were tested and found the resources, found the answers. That's why I make them slight favorites for the semi-finals.
– Guardian
Source link
