DECRYPTION – What did the special correspondents of Figaro think of the victory of the Blues Thursday evening in Saint-Denis, against Austria (2-0), in the League of Nations?
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Giroud-Mbappé duet of hell
The two men enjoyed themselves and thrilled the Stade de France public. We must not forget Antoine Griezmann either, back at a much more consistent level than in June, but the Giroud-Mbappé duo hurt the Austrians very badly on Thursday. A goal each, incessant activity, crazy rushes from the Parisian, a tasty pivot role from the Milanese… For a high-flying global copy. How can you imagine Deschamps depriving himself of such a solution at the World Cup in the event of Benzema’s poor form?
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SEE ALSO – The best of Olivier Giroud at AC Milan
Fofana-Badiashile, rookies at the rendezvous
They broke the screen. For a first in selection, you have to realize the weight that this jersey can represent. It can paralyze and bewilder you. Thursday evening, the two Monegasques proved just the opposite by broadcasting calm, serenity and quality of play. To the delight of Didier Deschamps who will remember their performance. Even if the competition is huge in defense and in the middle these two are not offside. And with only one selection on the clock, it’s huge to still believe in Qatar.
Read also“He does everything to be there”: Deschamps does not close the door to Giroud at the World Cup
Varane, the return of the boss
Raphaël Varane, the return. His first season in Mancunian was not impressive, between physical glitches and poor performance. The second begins under better auspices, and this was confirmed Thursday evening with the Blues. We found the real Varane, the one who masterfully led the defense of the French team, world champion in Russia. At the right time, less than two months from the start of the World Cup… In addition, the ex-Madridian perfectly supported, guided, in fact improved his young partners in defense, William Saliba (who replaced Jules Koundé , injured) and Benoît Badiashile, neophyte. “He is our captain and he helped me a lot. It makes things easier to play with a great defender like that for a player making his first selection… I’m very happy and I thank him for helping me“, underlines the young (21 years old) left axial of the ASM. One thing is certain: to see Varane at this level, it’s nice, it’s also reassuring.
Read alsoFrance team: released, delivered, Mbappé has “much more freedom” with the Blues than at PSG
Claw strokes
Cardboard players, a full infirmary
When he brings up the subject, Didier Deschamps touches wood so that the situation does not get even worse. With Jules Koundé (hamstring) and Mike Maignan (calf), injured on Thursday evening and withdrawn on Sunday in Denmark, the French team has a very full infirmary. Blame it on a calendar that no longer respects the main players for a long time. Hoping that within two months, the coach’s black cat will stay in France and not travel to Qatar.
Read alsoLeague of Nations: Koundé and Maignan absent against Denmark, the infirmary is full
A weak Austria
Admittedly, the Blues produced a performance “reassuring“says Jonathan Clauss, after a less than stellar month of June. But it should be noted that the level of the opposition was not very high… This Austrian team never worried the tricolor goalkeepers, Mike Maignan in the first period and Alphonse Areola, after the break. Light… “If Kylian Mbappé had played with us tonight, the game might not have been the same. Unfortunately, we don’t have Kylian Mbappé“, regretted Ralf Rangnick, Austrian coach. Except that it did not miss a Mbappé …
SEE ALSO – France-Austria match: Olivier Giroud is “a plus”, underlines Kylian Mbappé