[ad_1]
Solid foundations begin in defense
France's tactics in the 1-0 semifinal win against Belgium were not approved by all. "They played anti-football," said Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper. "They defended in their half all the time, they did that all the tournament and it's a shame, I have not yet known that an opposing striker is playing so far from goal." how France defended in its half and not for the first time either. Their progress towards the finals was built on the strongest foundation, on the organization and discipline, and one thing became clear – once you are lagging behind this team, you have a serious problem. Central defender Raphaël Varane was extraordinary against Belgium and he and his partner, Samuel Umtiti, earned the applause they received throughout the tournament. They are a physically imposing pair that stifles the supply lines. Belgium had a lot of games but what did they really create? With N & # 39; Golo Kanté playing in front of both teams of Paul Pogba, there is a high level of protection but it is a team that defends from the front. Against Belgium, it was obvious that Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud were pressing the deeper midfielders Axel Witsel and Mousa Dembélé
Mbappé and the hard shots
France can set up defensively because They claim such quality from the start, with the most catchy of the game turners being Kylian Mbappé. It was a bit counterintuitive to hear the experts tip him as a potential prospect before the final, since he had joined Paris Saint-Germain for £ 166m. It was not exactly under the radar. Still, there is no doubt that he has announced his sizzling talent to a wider audience. The rhythm and frankness of Mbappé are simply frightening; at only 19, he wears a fear factor. Witness the reaction of Argentine Marcos Rojo at the sight of him in full flight on the counter. Rojo was reduced to despair and all he could do was foul him for a penalty. Rojo was not the only defender to be led to the distraction. Some opposing teams managed to keep Mbappé under control for the spells, but none of them was able to suppress it for more than 90 minutes. His fast feet give him and his teammates extra space in crowded penalty areas.
A dividend-paying threat
You can feel like an accomplice in favor of your opponents. a team that can make a difference. corners; he is a little crazy end of the 80s, with all the connotations that implies. But the prowess in set-up were part of this World Cup and France has not missed. When that was the most important, the team of Didier Deschamps has come up with a goal to reverse the trend. Varane's header on Griezmann's free-kick was Variez's first header at 1-0 to Uruguay in the quarter-finals (they would win 2-0) and then Umtiti resumed. the head of Griezmann against Belgium. In both cases, the defender had the race on his marker. Everything was a matter of timing and realizing work on the training ground.
Mentality and adaptability
France has its eyes on the price. "I do not care about the Gold Ball," said Mbappé about the individual award for the game, "I want the World Cup, I want to sleep with that." There was a relentlessness to their belief and to their concentration, and Deschamps made a good point after the Belgium match when he thought back to the defeat of his team against Portugal in the final of Euro 2016. " is nothing to win the World Cup semi-finals after losing the Euros final, "he said.There are nine survivors of the 2016 team – a small number – but everyone is on a mission to avenge the disappointment, Deschamps' new players are young and hungry, apart from Steven Nzonzi, who is 29 years old, they are all 25 years old or younger The manager has said on more than one occasion That team will be stronger in two and four years, but they look pretty sturdy right now. "Deschamps has adapted to each of the towers to be eliminated. direct nation and its players reacted. Against Belgium, for example, he created Griezmann on the left, rather than the number 10. Tactically, he took control.
The altruism of Giroud who did not score
against Australia. The three before Deschamps of Griezmann, Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé did not click, and so he sent Giroud. The Chelsea target man has not yet scored in the final, but France seemed better balanced with him in mind, creating spaces and chances and providing the platform to Mbappé, in particular, to flourish. Obviously, Giroud would like to score and attackers tend to be judged on their goals. But a lesson in history is not lost: when France won the World Cup at home in 1998, attackers Christophe Dugarry and Stéphane Guivarc & # 39; h scored once and not at all, respectively.
Source link
