Special Envoy to Doha
Be careful not to get volleyed by a player from the France team if you call him the somewhat pejorative term "hairdresser".
Jordan Veretout did not hide his pout when he heard this nickname during his press briefing in Doha on Monday.
However, since the 1958 World Cup, with a Just Fontaine crowned with the title of top scorer (13 achievements, record still valid), legend has it that the French substitutes cut the hair of the holders.
Hence the term "hairdresser".
A qualification that has endured over time, a little more since Didier Deschamps took office in 2012, since the current selection boss has always used these famous "hairdressers" during the third World Cup match, due to two successful first matches.
With two relentless constants marked "DD": a large turnover in the French ranks (6 changes in 2014 and 2018) and an identical result (0-0 against Ecuador in Brazil and Denmark in Russia).
Bis repeated this Wednesday against Tunisia (4 p.m., TF1 and beIN Sports), still in the race for qualification and pushed by nearly 35,000 unleashed supporters at the Education City Stadium.
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A choice perfectly assumed by Deschamps, who intends during this final outing after the two initial successes against Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1), synonymous with a ticket for the round of 16, to carry out a wide workforce review.
In addition to qualification, the first place in Group D seems assured (only a large defeat against Tunisia and a consequent success of Australia against Denmark would deprive the Blues of a first position), which offers some leeway to the boss title holders.
"This situation allows me to be in management,"
he agrees.
The usual substitutes must take their chance
Apart from Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann or even Raphaël Varane, all the other executives could give up their places.
It is up to their usual replacements to seize their chance.
After, it will be too late.
Only Benjamin Pavard, in a fight with Jules Koundé on the right side, still seems to be playing a place in the eleven for the round of 16 next weekend.
The others (Mandanda, Konaté, Camavinga, Fofana, Coman, Thuram…) could offer themselves, in the event of a good performance against the Carthage Eagles, a better position off the bench.