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Griezmann is once again the captain
We had left him clumsy, head down in Kiev last Saturday. We found him dashing on the lawn of Groupama Stadium. In a system more in line with his qualities, Antoine Griezmann has found the axis and his influence on the French game. His agreement with Benzema was particularly marvelous, like his first goal where, taking advantage of a good deflection from his friend, he opened the scoring with a superb strike from the outside of the foot. More apt to repeat efforts, he was also present to collect balls thanks to his good reading of the opposing game. Already author of a double in this same stadium at Euro 2016 against Northern Ireland (2-1), he definitely likes the Groupama Stadium by scoring another double thanks to a strike from the right in a closed angle at recovery. Very close to the treble (60th,71st), he came out with a nice ovation.
LiveWith a fiery Griezmann-Benzema duo, the Blues are smiling again
Benzema, perfect storage
If the Blues have had the will to combine ground in small spaces, it is mainly thanks to the presence of Karim Benzema.
For his return to the Lyon region, ten years after his last match there (with Real Madrid), the French striker has delighted his partners with his discounts in a touch always felt.
Several times he found his teammates in the right tempo and he could have joined the party without two well-repelled shots from Hradecky.
Benzema-Griezmann, irremovable duo?
We have often mentioned the trio between Benzema, Griezmann and Mbappé since the return of the former last June. But it is clear that without the PSG striker, Benzema and Griezmann delighted the 57,057 spectators at Groupama Stadium. Some observers doubted their association because their profiles are very close except that these two speak the same football. They showed it several times in this match with a few beautiful streaks, one of which an hour of play could have resulted in one of the goals of the year. Can't wait for the rest!
Encouraging first for Théo Hernandez
For his very first in Blue, Lucas's brother was not afraid of anything. Théo Hernandez has indeed enjoyed this match. On his left wing, he climbed multiple times and never hid. Full of energy, he offered a lot of solutions to the ball carrier and one of his centers could have hit the mark for Martial. A credible solution to this position of left side.
3-4-1-2, a system doomed to last?
For this match against Finland, Didier Deschamps was inspired to bring a five-element defense up to date and to line up a sort of 3-4-1-2.
The defense was solidified and it also freed the attackers, less concerned with ensuring the defensive retreat.
Already tested a few times last year, and with less success against Switzerland at the Euro, this system could well be renewed in the future.
Flops
Martial, less verve
Anthony Martial has necessarily suffered from the comparison with his partners Benzema and Griezmann.
Even if he put in a lot of effort and his calls helped a lot in the offensive combinations.
Except that he also spoiled some good situations by haste or lack of technical accuracy.
No longer a real club starter, he probably lacks that hint of confidence at the moment.
See also Calendar and results 6th day of Qualifying.
Euro Zone World Cup 2022
Finland did not measure up The
last team to beat the Blues in regular time (2-0 in November 2020), Finland did not really measure up at Groupama Stadium. Despite an interesting first half hour, with some good comebacks, the Scandinavians ended up being overwhelmed by the blue waves. They will hardly have finished this part.