Generosity and good intentions.
For his first tenure in Blue this Tuesday evening against South Africa (5-0), Jonathan Clauss did not hide.
Four days after making his debut for a few minutes at the Stade Vélodrome, the Lensois was interesting in his ability to project himself forward, even if he lacked a bit of application to succeed more crosses in the first period .
He is the penultimate pass on Kylian Mbappé's brilliant opener, when he follows the ball along the line, in one touch, for Antoine Griezmann (1-0, 23rd).
Not the gesture of the year, but a discount that allows the Habs to speed up the game to take a very weak South African defense from behind.
As of Monday evening, Jonathan Clauss learned of his tenure from the mouth of the coach.
He could have been paralyzed by the importance of the event.
But, with his rock'n'roll haircut and his perfectly trimmed beard for the occasion, he faced up by showing himself available in place of Kingsley Coman, replacing this time around.
Didier Deschamps wanted to see him at work, he could not have dreamed of a better opportunity, near his home, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium where Losc, historical rival of RC Lens, usually resides.
Whistles were reserved for him for the occasion, we suspected, but the applause also seemed to carry him to each of his balls touched.
A few whistles… then an ovation!
Jonathan Clauss is living the blue dream to the fullest, he may not have everyone's CV, but he hasn't made a mark among the stars.
The time had come for him to show what he is capable of.
Overall mission accomplished.
Although there is still a long way to go before the World Cup in Qatar, with six Nations League games remaining in June and September, the 29-year-old right piston has scored valuable points against the competition in a sector where he was preferred on this rally to Léo Dubois or even Benjamin Pavard, affected by the Covid and who was summoned beforehand with the label of right axial defender in the tactical device in 3-5-2 of the Blues.
Read alsoFrance-South Africa (5-0): the notes of the Blues
Difficult to judge on the defensive aspect, as South Africa was bland this Tuesday evening.
On the other hand, his partners did not hesitate to serve him.
Proof of his good integration within a tricolor group as well.
The native of Strasbourg even shot twice on goal.
He found the gloves of the South African goalkeeper on a sudden volley (37th), then the small outside net in the second half (54th).
Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé could have taken advantage of his crosses, more precise after returning from the locker room, to score again (54th, 68th).
Emerging connections, to be perfected of course if he is given the opportunity to return, desire to spare, and a very positive assessment on arrival for the new kid who received an ovation when he left, replaced by Christopher Nkunku (87th) .
In apotheosis.