William Saliba and Eduardo Camavinga stood out with high marks after France's victory over Portugal on penalties, but the team’s midfield issues persist. Didier Deschamps continues to make adjustments with minimal impact, leading to repeated struggles despite France’s advancement. This pattern has characterized Les Bleus’ Euro 2024 journey so far.
Deschamps abandoned the diamond formation against Belgium, opting to move Antoine Griezmann to an unfamiliar wide position in a 4-3-3 setup. However, this change did not utilize Griezmann effectively, nor did it resolve the ongoing balance issues in midfield. Deschamps’ attempt to rearrange the team against Portugal also failed to address the midfield woes, marking the fifth different combination used in five games, none of which have been successful.
Griezmann’s decline is a significant challenge for Deschamps. Once a consistent performer and trusted player, Griezmann has struggled in the tournament, failing to deliver creativity and control. His lack of form has been a sharp and surprising downturn, affecting France’s overall performance. Previously vice-captain and a central figure since 2016, Griezmann’s inability to find his spark poses a considerable problem for the team.
Eduardo Camavinga, however, delivered a standout performance in the midfield diamond against Portugal, filling in for the suspended Adrien Rabiot. Despite missing a key chance in the 70th minute, Camavinga's defensive diligence impressed and may secure his place in the lineup against Spain. While the diamond formation should be abandoned, Camavinga has earned a spot in any future configurations.
Kylian Mbappé's performance has also been concerning. Built around his strengths, France’s attacking structure has failed to see Mbappé at his best in this tournament. A fractured nose from the match against Austria has seemingly affected his confidence, and underlying fitness issues have further hampered his performance. Mbappé admitted to not being fully fit and needing a proper pre-season to regain his physical peak, which has impacted his contributions on the field.
In the face of these challenges, Deschamps refrained from making definitive statements about the futures of veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, acknowledging the emotional toll of the recent defeat. The uncertainty around these players, combined with the systemic issues in the midfield and Mbappé's struggles, highlights the complexities France must navigate to improve their performance in the upcoming matches.
In the tense match against Portugal, Kylian Mbappé revealed that he requested to be substituted late in the game due to fatigue. "I told him that I was no longer feeling up to it, that I was too tired," the captain admitted. This has sparked an unthinkable question: should Mbappé be dropped from the starting lineup? There is a compelling argument for giving Bradley Barcola, one of Les Bleus’ standout performers in this tournament, a chance to start against Spain.
In defense, William Saliba has emerged as a key player. Despite initial doubts about his starting role, Saliba has seamlessly integrated into the heart of France’s defense. The Arsenal center-back, named in the Premier League team of the season for the second consecutive year, faced criticism from Deschamps as recently as March. However, Deschamps chose to dismantle his preferred Dayot Upamecano-Ibrahima Konaté partnership to incorporate Saliba, a significant show of trust.
Saliba has repaid this faith exceptionally well. He has been dominant in the air, calm in possession with a 98% pass accuracy, and made crucial defensive decisions, such as bringing down Francisco Conceição late in the match to prevent a potential threat. Saliba admitted before the tournament that he had not yet had a standout match for France, but he has now delivered five solid performances, playing a crucial role in ensuring that Les Bleus have not conceded in open play so far.
The combined efforts of Saliba in defense and Camavinga in midfield have been bright spots for France, but the struggles of key players like Griezmann and Mbappé highlight the challenges Deschamps faces in finding the right balance and form for his team. The upcoming match against Spain will be a critical test for the French side, as they strive to address these issues and advance further in the tournament.
Randal Kolo Muani had a night to remember, albeit not for the reasons he hoped. As France sought to overcome the ghosts of their Euro 2016 final loss, Kolo Muani aimed to banish his own haunting memory from the World Cup final against Argentina, where he missed a crucial chance. Reflecting on that miss, Kolo Muani has said it will “stay with [him] for life.” This past memory seemed to replay on the pitch against Portugal as he faced a similar opportunity just after the hour mark. Unfortunately, his attempt mirrored the past failure, with his shot not as well struck and likely going wide even before Rúben Dias’s block.
Despite being chosen over the unconvincing Marcus Thuram, Kolo Muani did not fully seize the chance to solidify his claim to the No. 9 jersey. While he contributed significantly out of possession, he did not make an undeniable case for himself, leaving the decision about Olivier Giroud’s successor unresolved.
Amidst these challenges, Théo Hernandez delivered a decisive moment for France. His penalty found the top corner, securing the quarter-final win against Portugal and highlighting the high-stakes drama of the match.
France's journey through the tournament continues to be a story of fluctuating performances and persistent questions about their best lineup. The midfield's instability, Mbappé's struggles, and now Kolo Muani's missed opportunity add to the ongoing narrative that Deschamps must navigate to guide Les Bleus to further success.
Penalty practice has been a contentious issue for Didier Deschamps, the French manager known for his belief that penalties can't be effectively practiced. He has often stated, “Penalties are always the same: it’s a balance of power between the taker and the keeper. It’s not that I consider that it cannot be worked on, but I am convinced – and my experience as a player tells me this – that it is impossible to recreate a situation, on a psychological level, between training and a match.”
Deschamps typically views penalties as more of a lottery than an exact science. However, he deviated from this belief before the match against Portugal, incorporating penalty practice into training sessions. This change paid off: France scored five out of five penalties, securing their first qualification from a penalty shootout in a major tournament since 1998.
After the match, Deschamps reflected on this shift in approach. “When you have the chance to repeat things multiple times, even if they aren’t the same takers …” he began, indicating a reconsideration of his previous stance. This experience suggests a newfound appreciation for the impact of practice, highlighting a significant evolution in Deschamps' coaching philosophy.
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