Saint-Denis (AFP)
After a poor October in goals, the French team, saved by Olivier Giroud in Iceland (1-0) and against Turkey (1-1), questions his lack of offensive efficiency. It will be necessary to find solutions before the Euro-2020, where any famine would be unacceptable.
"You have to pay attention to these little details because that's what can put you out in a Euro or a World Cup".
The alert was launched Monday evening in the corridors of the Stade de France Antoine Griezmann, hub of the attack tricolor, after the draw against the Turks. In the sight of Barcelona: the defensive feverishness of the Blues on the free kick of the Turkish equalizer, but also the inability to open the score before the 76th minute, despite immense dominance and a rain of opportunity.
Two games, 44 shots, two goals. The balance sheet of the oppositions against Iceland and Turkey clearly betrays the "hic" of autumn: the world champions are no longer in maximum success when we must conclude, at least against the teams that have the sponsor.
"Efficiency", "success", "realism": the Blues had no trouble identifying their deficiencies Monday after the disappointment of Saint-Denis that requires them to wait a month to convert a qualification that reaches out to them.
"When we do not win the matches, it is still lacking efficiency, which is what deprives us of the other two points," said defender Clement Lenglet. "We should have been more killer in front of the goal," said midfielder Moussa Sissoko, himself the author of several failures. And Griezmann summarize: "At the World Cup, we did not need so many opportunities."
- Giroud, precious N.9 -
In the end, the paradox has enough to smile: the world champions have recovered in October precisely the player who seemed the least confident. Deprived of minutes to Chelsea (18 only between the last two rallies), Giroud took the clothes of savior, on a penalty in Reykjavik then a determined head in Saint-Denis four minutes after his entry into the game.
"That's why I take it and I trust him, even if he has a situation in a club that is complicated.This is more than two on his counter," explained Didier Deschamps, visibly uncomfortable by the different failures.
Was not his game system turned enough for the attack? "We had played Iceland in the same device and that had not stopped us from scoring 4 goals" in the first leg, defended the coach. "Goals, if you mark them, there would not be that question." What's the matter?
At the absence of Kylian Mbappé on injury? At the slight entrance to the rank of Kingsley Coman, triple scorer in September and whose efficiency in front of goal had particularly delighted Deschamps?
- "Be patient" -
Although it's hard to be alarmed by a team that has scored 21 goals in 8 games, including seven in two games last month, there are some annoying signals.
Griezmann crystallizes alone several. The old wisp of Atletico Madrid still weighs as much in construction, but with seven matches in a row without finding the flaw, he remains on a scarcity unknown for him, in selection, for four years.
Is it the fault of his mixed adaptation to FC Barcelona? "Sometimes, the ball wants to come in, sometimes it does not come in. It's like that, it's football, we'll have to wait, be patient, work everyone in his club to be better in front of goal", a- he retorted.
The playmaker of the Blues will also have one more month to refine his technique on penalty: after missing two in September, he remains the official shooter of the French team according to Deschamps, even if Giroud was responsible for hitting the last.
"When it was decisive penalties, the foot did not tremble," put the coach into perspective in September. "Knowing him, if there is a third to shoot next month, he will be there".
This is still true for November, when the Blues receive the modest Moldova before going to Albania. A win or two draws would take them to the Euro. And they will then have seven months to set the sights.
© 2019 AFP