After the "big slap" during the first meeting of this Euro Espoirs, the France team has finally recovered to offer a completely different show against Russia.
Although partially mastered, this second meeting (2-0 victory) is a wake-up call for this formation with names so high-sounding that the entry into the tournament was missed.
By changing five of its holders compared to the defeat against Denmark (0-1), Sylvain Ripoll has transformed the face of his team.
An applied match that led to a success for the Bleuets, offering at the same time a final against Iceland on Wednesday (6 p.m.).
Sylvain Ripoll's players should win against an almost eliminated opponent if Russia had a result against the leader of the Danish group.
If Denmark is successful, the Bleuets would only need a draw to return in June, to play the knockout stages.
"We have found the state of mind that should drive us", commented Sylvain Ripoll after the meeting.
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A transformed midfielder, released full-backs
Colin Dagba holder on the right, a completely changed midfielder, these are the main architects of the victory of young French people against Russia.
Left at rest when entering the competition, Colin Dagba was well titular to the right of the French defense this Sunday.
Although the Parisian titi was sometimes awkward by conceding a few ball losses, he did not hesitate to bring the excess in the offensive phases.
Used to the position of central defender with the Foxes, Wesley Fofana had shown much more trouble in this area of play last Thursday.
In the middle, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Boubakary Soumaré brought a lot of mobility and impact.
The Lille native never hesitated when it came time to embark on great vertical races, thus offering possibilities for more offensive players and space for Adrien Truffert.
Well muzzled by the compact block imposed by the Danes, the young left side of Stade Rennais was more active on his left side this Sunday, against the Russians.
He multiplied the centers in the good areas of the Russian penalty area without finding a buyer capable of offering him an assist.
A very solid match from Truffert.
Ikoné the X factor
The big winner of Sylvain Ripoll's coaching in the in-between game could well be Jonathan Ikoné.
Not stingy with calls and trips, the Lille was given the keys to the offensive animation by his coach.
The one who has already tasted the A selection has been very active by multiplying the races.
These phases will have made it possible to free up space for Romain Faivre, the other technical leader of this training.
Injured in the last LOSC match against Nîmes (1-2), Ikoné could not participate until the last half hour of the defeat against the Danes.
Already showing the best in the offensive animation of the Bleuets.
During this important victory against Russia, he confirmed that he was the playing master of this team in the absence of Houssem Aouar and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, even going from his panenka on a penalty obtained by Amine Gouiri (24th).
The X factor of this French Espoirs team.
Bitterness, but a lack of consistency
If the blueberries displayed a much more conquering face than against Denmark, they failed to keep control of this meeting for 90 minutes.
Zakharyan could (should) have given the advantage to his people on a face to face with Alban Lafont (4th) before Odsonne Édouard was broke in the box (13th) and Gouiri obtained a second penalty thanks to a hand by Maslov (24th).
With a break made in the 24th minute, the Bleuets finished the first period as they had started: with a lot of bite.
But after the break, they failed to put on such a solid face as in the first 45 minutes.
Conceding more ball losses and multiplying technical errors, the Bleuets exposed themselves to a Russian comeback.
“We lost control with technical waste, less mobility.
I would have liked us to hold the ball higher, but we lost a little control, ”noted Sylvain Ripoll after the final whistle.
A technical irregularity that the Bleuets will have to erase if they want to become the first selection of Habs hopes to win in this competition since 1988. Provided they do the job against an Iceland (almost) already eliminated.
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