Didier Deschamps and the temptation Kingsley Coman

It seems that, to be perceived as pleasant, a face must present symmetrical features. When it comes to football, Didier Deschamps has nothing against less conventional beauties. During the last group match of this Euro 2021, played Wednesday, June 23, against Portugal (2-2), the coach of the Blues came out of his tactical software his 4-2-3-1 asymmetric, this pattern stamped “champions of the world ”three years earlier in Russia.

In practice, the asymmetry comes from the sides of the attack and its tenants. Rather axial and duty midfielder, Blaise Matuidi then locks the left wing when, on the right, Kylian Mbappé has all the freedom possible to provoke twists and turns in the opposing defenders. Against Portugal, Didier Deschamps made Corentin Tolisso a right-wing Matuidi (Mbappé prefers to move to the left now), but the result left something to be desired.

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So a slightly crazy idea has fueled since the discussions of the followers of the France team: what if Kingsley Coman started instead of Tolisso against Switzerland, Monday June 28 in the round of 16? Dribbler like modern football no longer produces too much, the very young dad (since June 18) has a more offensive profile than Tolisso. Too much for Didier Deschamps?

“Most rational system”

In knockout matches, the coach does little to deviate from his golden rule: never align four offensive elements. And with Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema, the account is already there. “Paperboard” in support, the boss of the Blues described for BeIN Sports, before the Euro, the workings of asymmetric 4-2-3-1, “Most rational system” with that safety net on one side or the other. “I look at PSG who sometimes play with their four offensive elements. Everyone wants it, and so do I. I’ve done it before, by the way. But that’s not why we’re better, and it doesn’t always go very well. But I am not giving it up. “

For the more attentive, the end of the sentence can accredit the Coman option. Alain Giresse wants to believe it. The 1984 European champion reverses the problem to advance his preference. “We always worry about the defensive balance, he said, but a boy like Coman, with his characteristics, will pose problems to the defender opposite by his provocations and [par] its percussions. The latter will be less tempted to assert his offensive contribution. “

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