Didier Deschamps is no exception to fashions. In recent months, the coach of the Blues has developed an inclination for a tactical organization of players on the field known as 3-4-1-2, called to be renewed, Saturday, November 13, against Kazakhstan in a qualifying match for the Cup of the world 2022.
This plan with three defenders appeals to more and more coaches. During the last Euro, fourteen teams out of the twenty-four entered have played at least once with a defense consisting of three central and two players to animate the sides. In June, players like Robin Gosens (Germany), Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy) and Joakim Maehle (Denmark) burst the screen and gave ideas.
Welcome to the era of the “piston”, a hybrid tactical creature between the full-back with increased prerogatives and the winger of yesteryear reconditioned for the demands of modern football. “In his profile, it is often a counter-attacker who occupies the corridor [le long de la ligne de touche] in a relevant way and allows interesting balls exits “, summarizes Laurent Peyrelade. In France, the coach of Rodez (Ligue 2) was one of the first to follow the trend driven in particular by Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta Bergamo.
But among the Blues, the “boosted” are still struggling to convince. Starting with Bixente Lizarazu. “All the times Didier Deschamps used this system, I found the pistons uncomfortable, except maybe Theo Hernandez against Finland (2-0, September 7). He scored against Belgium, but his match was not entirely successful ”, objected, in early October, the former left side questioned by The team.
It is no coincidence that the 1998 world champion cites the name of the AC Milan player. Although used to evolving in a four-club defense, Lucas Hernandez’s little brother has the qualities to flourish as a piston, even if Lucas Digne (Everton) and Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid) have not said their last word.
Despite some imperfections, the Milanese seduced Benoît Trémoulinas in his first three appearances in blue. “I had been campaigning for his coming for a year, poses the international left-back (five selections between 2011 and 2015). He has the physical volume to repeat races, which is essential in this role, and I had noted his defensive progress. “
Primary very open to the right
During the Euro, the injury of the eldest Hernandez was one of the reasons mentioned for the transition to a three-way defense before the round of 16 against Switzerland (3-3, 5 shots on goal to 4) . Beyond the elimination, the pistons of an evening in Bucharest had the effect of patches with, on the left, a player usually playing in central midfield, Adrien Rabiot and, on the right, a central defender by training, Benjamin Pavard.
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