The good intentions announced by Presnel Kimpembe during the press conference this Sunday were not enough.
The Blues once again got their feet in the carpet this Monday against Croatia (0-1) during the 4th day of the League of Nations.
Didier Deschamps' men, with two points on the clock (two draws and two defeats), have already given up the trophy acquired last October after the victory in the final against Spain (2-1).
They are especially dangerously close to relegation to Ligue B. This overall result is a stain, just five months before the World Cup in Qatar, of which the French are also defending champions.
Can fatigue, linked to an insane calendar, be enough to explain these 4 mediocre results?
If we can find extenuating circumstances for an injured Kylian Mbappé then weakened and for a Karim Benzema at the end of his rope after an extraordinary season supposed to lead him to the Ballon d'Or, we are much more circumspect about the reliability of the defense, the basis of the conquest of the world title in 2018. The Blues have undoubtedly lost their solidity by conceding at least one goal in each of the 4 meetings in June.
Only two games left in blue before Qatar
The different systems of play used - 3-5-2 then the return to 4-4-2, before a last match in 4-4-3 - show that the coach is still looking for his good formula for the World Cup in Qatar.
Worrying?
“No, assures Kimpembe, passing through the mixed zone this Monday evening.
We still have a little time to prepare for the World Cup, even if it will go quickly.
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Indeed, there will only be two games for the Blues, a priori, before the World Cup, against Austria, September 22 and Denmark, September 25, still in the League of Nations.
“Doing an internship with four games and not winning any of them is inevitably disappointing.
The context was not easy, we are disappointed with the results, ”adds the Parisian defender, for whom the fatigue inherent in the sequence of meetings is not trivial.
Read alsoFrance-Croatia (0-1): the notes of the Blues
"After a club season, like the one we had, with major competitions too, playing the League of Nations now, with four games, it was not easy," adds Titi.
“This month of June was very difficult and very complicated in terms of results.
We didn't have enough energy and strength against teams that had more than us, insists Didier Deschamps. We weren't successful.
There are players who are fresher than others, there are always lessons to be learned.
I'm not worried.
I am never naturally worried.
I am in reflection.
There will be need for more things to maintain the standard which is ours.
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His Croatian counterpart refuses to be moved by the bad tricolor pass.
"I think the France team is one of the best teams in the world, probably the best team in the world," said Zlatko Dalic.
She is in a period of defeats, but it is the end of the season, there is fatigue.
I think France remains the number one favorite for the World Cup.
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