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Dembélé, Lemar, Dubois… Who won and lost points with the Blues in Kazakhstan?

2021-03-28T17:22:35.926Z


Didier Deschamps, in his quest for certainty for the Euro, obtained some information during the success of the Blues in Kazakhstan on Sunday (0-2).


It was therefore necessary for the Blues to cover 5,500 kilometers and discover Kazakhstan for the first time in their history to finally launch their qualification campaign for the 2022 World Cup. After the quack against Ukraine (1-1), the world champions straightened their heads by easily disposing of the 122nd world nation (0-2), without however offering a real show of force.

But the essential was elsewhere for Didier Deschamps and his largely reworked team, who are leaving this former Soviet Republic with the feeling of work accomplished.

And some lessons that will weigh heavily in the months to come.

Since everything now counts within three months of the Euro (June 11-July 11).

"READ ALSO - Tops / flops Kazakhstan-France: Dembélé scores points, Dubois too discreet


" READ ALSO - With seriousness and an excellent Dembélé, the Blues find color 


"READ ALSO - The inspiration of Dembélé, the Kazakh csc gag. .. The goals of the Blues against Kazakhstan in video

Serious Blues without being brilliant


Eager to bring freshness or offer a chance to elements in balance (Dubois, Zouma, Ndombélé, Martial, Dembélé, Lemar) for a place in the 23 at the Euro, the boss of the world champions had largely reshaped his starting XI with nine changes from Wednesday.

Only Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann, a sign of their weight in the group, were entitled to the double ration in less than a week.

For his 122nd selection - which makes him the third most capped player in the history of the Blues with a unit of Thierry Henry that he could equal Wednesday in Bosnia - the world champion goalkeeper spent a quiet Sunday.

Reduced to technical unemployment.

The "fault" to his partners, domineering and serious, never put in difficulty on the synthetic turf of the Astana Arena.

With the rapid opening of the score from Dembélé (0-1, 19th) and Maliy's gag goal against his camp (0-2, 44th), the Blues did not make the same mistake as against Ukraine.

Without flying away after the break.

Blame it on less well-felt gestures, a very good Kazakh goalkeeper and a penalty missed by Mbappé (73rd).

Dembélé, except disaster, validated his ticket for the Euro

AFP

In this kind of match, where there is often much more to lose than to win, Ousmane Dembélé has taken advantage of this journey to the end of the world.

Main attraction of the list of "DD", often criticized for his poor hygiene of life after repeated injuries since his arrival in Barcelona in 2017, the former Rennais did not miss his appointment Sunday at Noursoultan.

Holder for the first time in Blues since ... October 2018, he confirmed his current good form, between percussion and availability at all times, while adding a dose of realism to the image of his opening score, a strike limpid law (1-0, 19th).

In the end, a performance that will count in the mind of the boss of the world champions, never the last to tackle the former Rennais and always the first to salute his (many) qualities.

"I'm satisfied with his performance," he whispered about him, which means a lot in Deschamps rhetoric.

To the point of seeing it with certainty at the Euro next summer?

Except new injury, difficult for the selection to do without such a collective, concerned and decisive Dembélé.

Martial interesting but not killer, Lemar and Ndombélé neutral, Dubois much too shy


As for the other elements in the balance, there is still work to be done.

And not all left Noursultan with the assurance of a place in the 23. If Anthony Martial, left injured in the second half and replaced by Kylian Mbappé, gave a glimpse of good dispositions in the game, an interesting profile with an 8th Decisive pass to his credit, he still lacks the essential: to score goals.

With only one achievement to his credit, in 27 capes, it is too little for a man who wants to settle in the position of attacker of the world champions.

But his palette is good for the Blues.

Thomas Lemar alternated the good and the less good on the left as in the axis, just like Tanguy Ndombélé in the midfield.

They have not been unworthy but it is not their Sunday performance that will have subjugated the coach.

Ditto for Léo Dubois, too shy in his hallway in view of the low adversity and who is under threat from Ferland Mendy.

In the axis alongside Clément Lenglet, Kurt Zouma did the job and consolidated his place in the hierarchy.

A job to be completed against Bosnia

AFP

With the victory, a first place in the group, answers to certain questions, leaders at the rendezvous like Pogba and Griezmann, the mission is fulfilled on the French team after this trip to Central Asia.

It now remains to be confirmed in Bosnia on Wednesday against an opponent of another caliber.

With many changes to come and inevitably more lessons to be learned.

An eternal restart and above all a last chance to shine for some.

"Those who play can put things to their credit, which is not the case for everyone", plant Deschamps, concerned with the smallest detail.

On and off the pitch.

After, it will be too late.

Read also

  • Tops / flops Kazakhstan-France: Dembélé scores points, Dubois too discreet

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-03-28

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