We had left him on a face-to-face (decisive) lost with Emiliano Martinez in Lusail, in the World Cup final, on December 18, 2022. We found him in Saint-Denis, this Friday, against the Countries -Bas (4-0), for the first match of the French team in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. And obviously - even if he still has "hate" -, Randal Kolo Muani has moved on after this missed opportunity (literally and figuratively).
At least that's what he showed on the lawn of the Stade de France.
To discover
Euro 2024: the qualifying calendar
Euro 2024: dates, place, draw
A “very” convincing performance against the Netherlands
Established at the forefront of the attack of the Blues, the center forward of Eintracht Frankfurt (11 goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga) delivered a (very) good performance.
Active in the laundry, very mobile, intelligent in his choices and clean in all his technical gestures, he was in (almost) all the right moves.
And if he did not shake the net, he was involved in three of the four goals scored by his teammates.
It is on the third, the first of Kylian Mbappé, that the ex-Nantais is the most illustrated.
On a pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni, he cleverly let the ball pass...for the new captain of the France team, who left behind the Dutch defence.
A magnificent inspiration which also testifies to his good technical complicity with the Parisian.
Read alsoIn the footsteps of Kolo Muani, the unfortunate hero of the World Cup
His performance convinced everyone.
Starting with Didier Deschamps: “
He was very interesting in everything he did, he has this ease of running, in the dribble, he is able to pick up, to be in depth, to play on one side or the other … He confirms everything he did after his World Cup
, “said the coach of the Blues on
La Chaîne L’Équipe
.
His teammates also wanted to underline the importance of the one who had revealed himself to the general public during the 2022 World Cup: “
He brings a lot of mobility, depth.
He also knows how to keep the ball and he defends, it helps.
He had a very good game and I hope he will score very soon
“Said Eduardo Camavinga after the match.
And even Virgil van Dijk, who had to deal with it for a good part of the meeting, went there with his little compliment: "
He's a good striker, he's part of the France team, he has quality and I think he is doing a good job in Germany.
He's a good player
,” said the defender and captain of the “Oranje”.
SEE ALSO -
Randal Kolo Muani's best goals with FC Nantes
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues against the Netherlands: Mbappé inspired and inspiring captain, essential Griezmann
The future at centre-forward?
This Friday, at the Stade de France, it is "
a new adventure
" which began for the Blues as indicated by Aurélien Tchouaméni.
And Randal Kolo Muani should not only do extra work there.
The 24-year-old striker is clearly one of the players set to take power in the France team in the months to come.
Especially after the international retirement of Karim Benzema.
Moreover, if Didier Deschamps preferred him at the start to the experienced Olivier Giroud (36), it is not for nothing.
"DD" is preparing for the future: Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup, after which his contract with the FFF will (normally) end.
Read alsoFrance-Netherlands: the favorites and claws of our special envoys
The player born in Bondy thus leaves (visibly) with a head start on his eldest, and on Marcus Thuram who can also evolve in the axis.
And if you should never bury the center-forward of AC Milan, the starting spot seems totally promised to him.
In particular because his profile, very different from those of his direct competitors, is perfectly suited to the game set up by the France team: “
He is full of confidence and it is a different profile from Olivier Giroud or Marcus Thuram.
It brings additional danger for the opponent
“, explained Didier Deschamps after the success against the “Oranje”.
Only (small) downside: the finish.
To really win over time, Randal Kolo Muani must be more effective in front of goal, he who missed a big chance this Friday, with a slightly badly dosed volley.
This Monday (8:45 p.m.), in Ireland, he should have the opportunity to stand out.
And one thing is certain, if he were to find the net, he would widen (a little more) the gap with the top scorer in the history of the Blues.
