Less than six months from the supreme tournament in Qatar, it would be foolish to aim for the world without being able to win at least one match of a sort of group stage of a Euro with Denmark, Croatia and Austria, its Nations League program for the month of June.
“We have fallen behind,” summarizes the national coach.
Once again deprived, at kick-off, of Kylian Mbappé, the Blues will try to finally win a match in order to chase the clouds from this gathering.
For the moment, the vital forces are going badly and the satisfactions come from the shadows.
Antoine Griezmann transposes his Madrid spleen into selection.
The right piston file has not advanced, the competition is not attacking much more.
Three executives will have played little, with the rapid departure of Raphaël Varane the day after France-Denmark (1-2) and the expectation escorting N'Golo Kanté and Mbappé, perhaps visible this Monday against Croatia but in what state ?
The striker who will be on the bench this Friday evening and the midfielder have been receiving treatment for almost a week.
The good surprises are embodied in the revenge of downgraded people, like Presnel Kimpembe and Adrien Rabiot, two Titis, who took advantage of the rotation to remind them of their consistency, at a time of questions surrounding Lucas Hernandez and in the absence of Paul Pogba .
Two other residents of the PSG house, training period, will also have pointed the tip of their noses, with Moussa Diaby and Christopher Nkunku.
A match to indicate the physical resources of the Blues
It is neither nothing nor much if we agree on the idea that the Blues can only win the World Cup with their full and 100% holders.
This is what Didier Deschamps' men have been saying since Euro 2016: they have no plan B even if there are alternatives (Kimpembe in defense, Aurélien Tchouaméni in the middle).
“We judge the level of the France team through the major tournaments”, warns Didier Deschamps for his part.
He's right: blue light often dazzles when it counts, except at Euro 2021.
Read alsoFrench team: the Blues cannot remain defenseless
Austria-France this Friday evening will above all inform us about their physical resources at the moment – even if we understand that apart from Karim Benzema, stainless, they all have their heads in their socks – and their art of rebounding.
If June is historically their worst period under the Deschamps era, this team from France also likes to delve into its pride to come together and become threatening again.
Right now, she may have more mind than legs, but no one will complain about the path taken, as long as it points to common sense.
