Munich (Germany) (AFP)

The man of the big meetings did not miss that of the Euro: in the oven and at the mill Tuesday to bring the Blues against Germany (1-0), Paul Pogba rose to the level of his World Cup -2018, asserting itself as an indisputable leader of the French midfield.

He wasn't the joker with extravagant haircuts.

Neither is the discreet, irregular or even clumsy Pogba that he has sometimes been on the side of Manchester United in recent seasons.

Tuesday evening, the France team found the Pogba serious, involved, with an inexhaustible volume of play and incessant inspirations.

The Moscow Pogba.

Associated with Adrien Rabiot and N'Golo Kanté at the Allianz Arena, the 28-year-old midfielder has displayed rare confidence for three years in the selection.

In defensive gestures, first, like a furious tackle on Toni Kroos (25th), a deterrent on a dangerous action by Ilkay Gündogan (38th) and multiple balls recovered.

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In the construction of the actions, then: it is he who throws Lucas Hernandez with a ball stung from the outside of the foot on the action of the goal against his camp of Mats Hummels (20th), he who happily eliminates two Germans from the 'a subtle heel (30th), he who lacks the framework of a powerful head (16th).

He, finally, who believes to offer Kylian Mbappé an assist (66th) before the Parisian is reported offside.

- "Leadership talents" -

Always looking for a puzzling idea for the opponent, the former player of Juventus Turin also marked the meeting of his behavior.

Replacement of his partners, reasoned discussions with the referees ... Pogba has assumed his status for his 81st selection.

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"We know his leadership skills to bring his teammates together when necessary. He has this natural way of speaking", said of him Presnel Kimpembe a few days ago.

The illustration was quickly demonstrated.

On the other side of the pitch, the Mannschaft players tried everything to disrupt the assured game of the "Pickaxe", but Toni Kroos sometimes seemed overwhelmed in his duel with the Mancunien.

Antonio Rüdiger, the most upbeat German of the evening, for his part even had a surprising gesture against him, seeming to try to nibble the shoulder of his vis-à-vis, very annoyed after this slip that occurred just before half-time.

But Pogba did not demobilize, moving quickly to something else: a hard and very high pressing, daring tumbles with the ball to the foot, and a great influence at the start of each French action.

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- "Capable of doing everything" -

Arrived late at Clairefontaine after his final lost in the Europa League against Villarreal, Pogba in any case showed no physical flaw in the second half, while he had appeared completely out of rhythm during the rally in March, at the end of a thigh injury.

"Paul is very important on the pitch and in the leadership as well. He knows what I expect, he is able to do everything with us ... With his club, everything depends", joked the coach Didier Deschamps a few days ago.

"He has an important role".

This role, Pogba takes it all the more to heart when the months of June arrive, years of great competition, displaying a unifying temperament from the first day of preparation.

It is also no coincidence that it was he whom Deschamps sent to the press to deflate a start of frying on the line between Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé, the first reproaching the second for his lack of altruism after France -Bulgaria.

The Mancunien had cleared the ground as he cleared the German offensives Tuesday evening.

"It is true that during major competitions we see a great Paul", recognized his counterpart in the middle Moussa Sissoko in recent days.

"Like any great player, we expect them at great times. We will need him, I hope we will see a great Pogba".

The wish seems already granted.

© 2021 AFP