In the great history book of the Blues, it would be good to reserve an entire chapter for Denmark. Of the adversaries whom the French team has met since 1904, the 1992 European champions are not the most prestigious nor those who are instantly associated with the most memorable moments of the tricolor adventure. Nevertheless, when they are around, the Danes are always the harbingers of something. Most beautiful hours, most often. As in 1984, 1998, 2000 and 2018. From a historical gadin, once in 2002.
In less than two months, the French will find Christian Eriksen and his friends for the sixth time in the final phase of major competition. It will be November 26 at Stadium 974 in Doha. And we will have to hope that this beauty which has no place to be – since the Blues have just been beaten twice by Denmark in less than four months – will have more cheerful attire than the meetings at the Stade de France. (1-2) and Copenhagen (2-0).
world Cup
Two months before the World Cup, Deschamps’ list could look like this
17 HOURS AGO
Already three defeats
Thursday against Austria, the youth and freshness of a revamped team, but framed by the Varane and a few surviving world champions, had recovered and put the June disaster in the background. On Sunday, Denmark reminded the Blues that when the slope steepened, you had to have the right crampons to hold on to the ground.
Coming out of it, Didier Deschamps pointed out the youth, the lack of drive and aggressiveness of a team that seriously swayed from the first wave. Until drowning when the red flag was not hoisted. When you’re a sailor, it’s better to know how to swim. Which was not the case for everyone.
But, basically, what more have we learned about the France team that we did not know at the heart of a year 2022 which has already seen it lose three times in an official match? That the 3-5-2 is not offered to the first comer? We already knew that. That the international level is something else, even for young people experienced in Champions League games? Nothing new. That without aggressiveness, nothing can be achieved? Same thing.
Plan B = zero reliability
What we especially learned on Sunday is that Didier Deschamps cannot, at this time, boast of a reliable plan B. Quite simply. In a more complicated context, this one has no guarantor. So you have to pray very hard, or cross your fingers, or call on occult powers of your choice for plan A to work fully.
Less than two months before the entry into the running of the Blues against Australia, this plan A is above all suspended from the state of form and the availability of each. And, on this point, it is impossible to draw plans on the comet. Because some that we are no longer expecting will possibly be back. Because others, who were supposed to be, may not be. Such is the life of a selection, in the heart of the most intense autumn in the history of European football, in its modern version, diehard and mercantilist.
Didier Deschamps is not naturally worried and tends to fall back on his feet. Nevertheless: the building has never been so rickety on the edge of a major event.
Didier Deschamps disappointed
Credit: Getty Images
In the summer of 2018, when the Blues were going to conquer the planet, he needed the preparation and the first match of the World Cup before finding the right formula. This had emerged against Peru (1-0), but no one was convinced, apart from the players who had decided on the score that evening. Six days later, the purge against Denmark (0-0) had somewhat confused the tracks. However, the staff was convinced of it but it could not be heard: what had happened in Moscow had no great value, because this match was that of the hairdressers.
That day, DD and Guy Stephan had above all understood that plan B was not up to plan A, which would have to take all the light until July 15. But, at least, the France team had a plan A. Solid and unsinkable. Like his midfield, composed of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, whose complementarity would bring happiness to the country. Pogba and Kanté, two compasses of the time, which we do not yet know if they will guide the Blues in the desert. And if it will be towards an oasis. Or a mirage.
world Cup
Two months before the World Cup, Deschamps’ list could look like this
17 HOURS AGO
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