Budapest (AFP)

Stopped Saturday in Hungary (1-1), France has work to do before finding Portugal on Wednesday: rest worn bodies, take out the calculator to establish the scenarios that await it and try to perfect a failing offensive animation.

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The attack and Benzema at half mast

Disappointment and questions surround more the third thief of the attack, Karim Benzema, unable to shake the nets since his surprise return after more than five years of absence in Blue. In four matches, Real Madrid center-forward missed a penalty against Wales, assisted by Olivier Giroud's brace after his injury-related exit against Bulgaria, seeing his goal denied against Germany at the end of the match. , then lacked spontaneity or precision against Hungary.

"Shots that are not on target cannot end in the back of the net," said Didier Deschamps without targeting "KB9" in particular.

By recalling Benzema just before the Euro, the coach made the bet of an express acclimatization which, for the time being, is slow in coming.

But "DD" is not alarmed: the ex-Lyonnais "has enough experience to ignore it. He knows very well that he is expected on this aspect, but the main thing is that he remains confident and may he keep my confidence ".

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Regeneration and rotation mandatory?

For Deschamps, the Blues "lacked freshness and pep" under the sun of Budapest, where he had aligned the same team as in Munich, with one exception: Lucas Digne replaced Lucas Hernandez to the left of the defense.

Unfortunately for him, the French appeared physically blunted against opponents mostly playing in second-tier championships.

How far will he have to turn against Portugal on Wednesday?

"I do not exclude that there may be a rotation between the players", fatigue being perceptible "in a little all" the holders of the day, replied the technician on Saturday.

The first lap leaves little time for rest and "this sequence means that freshness is an important element," said Deschamps.

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Should we bet again on Paul Pogba and Adrien Rabiot, below their usual level on Saturday, or trust Corentin Tolisso, Moussa Sissoko or even Thomas Lemar in the middle?

Can young Jules Koundé replace Benjamin Pavard as a right back, in great difficulty?

Ousmane Dembélé, threatening but left injured, will he be fit?

The breeder has a few hours before deciding.

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Stay ahead

The Blues were scared against the Hungarians but they keep the "cards in hand" before the last group match, as Deschamps said.

First in Group F, they will keep the lead in the event of success on Wednesday (9 p.m.) against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, or even in the event of a draw if Germany cannot beat Hungary in Munich.

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The ranking of the group can be expensive: it determines the geographical route that awaits the Habs (Bucharest, London, Budapest or Seville), but also their potential opponents.

A second place thus gives rise to fear of a very strong round of 16 at Wembley against the English, if they finish at the top of their group.

Winning the "hen of death" would perhaps grant a more approachable opponent, such as Switzerland, Finland or Austria.

In this Euro where only the two worst third in a group are ejected after the first round, the Blues, who can no longer finish last, do not seem in danger, even in the event of defeat.

They will already be fixed on Wednesday evening before kick-off because all the other groups will have already played their last day.

The ticket could even be composted on Monday evening, depending on the results of the final matches in groups A, B and C.

© 2021 AFP