Lyon (AFP)

After two gloomy performances against Bosnia and Ukraine (1-1), the France team regained its flame on Tuesday in Lyon against Finland (2-0) with a conquering spirit, brilliant offensive animation and choices tactics finally paid off.

- Champion attitude -

The physical attitude of the Blues in Strasbourg and Kiev betrayed a damaged confidence, a kind of guilty passivity in the course of events.

In Lyon, Hugo Lloris' partners have once again pulled out their claws to approach the World-2022.

"From the first ball, on their kick-off, Kurt (Zouma) rose above everyone to win his head duel. These are the little things that allow you to gain confidence," analyzed the captain after the game.

Kurt Zouma wins against Finland on September 7, 2021 at Décines-Charpieu FRANCK FIFE AFP

The French won the match at will, an ingredient that was lacking in the two previous matches.

The influential Lloris and Paul Pogba had stepped up publicly before the match to re-mobilize the troops.

"Each of us is aware of the situation, this was not necessarily the case before Ukraine", where the Blues were "scared", had dropped Lloris Monday.

"On paper, the quality is there but there was a need for a reminder, we had it", diagnosed Didier Deschamps after the victory.

- Deschamps, finally paying choices -

At the Euro, the coach paid cash for the catastrophic tenure of Clément Lenglet in a three-way defense in the round of 16 against Switzerland.

In early September, rebel against Bosnia (1-1) with exile on the right of Antoine Griezmann or the maintenance of central defender Jules Koundé as right side.

Tuesday, "DD" however took risks by relaunching a system with three axial defenders, with one player less in midfield, and by renewing Anthony Martial in attack despite a sluggish performance in Ukraine (1-1).

Karim Benzema congratulated by Didier Deschamps at the end of the match against Finland on September 7, 2021 at Décines-Charpieu FRANCK FIFE AFP

With success: the three angles of the Griezmann-Martial-Benzema attacking triangle stung at each initiative, well supported by sideways carried forward like the blaster Theo Hernandez, totally "on his plate" for his first selection, says Deschamps.

"It may not work some times, but I do it because I think it's the best for the team," said the coach.

- Griezmann and Benzema, (re) emerging duo -

The Griezmann-Benzema complicity had been seen at the end of 2015, just before the sidelining of the Real Madrid striker.

Six years later, the Merengue superstar finds his bearings with his Madrid friend back at Atlético.

Top scorers of the French AFP team

Double scorer on two game launches of "KB9", the leader has found color by scoring, already, his 8th goal of the year 2021 in selection, the 41st in total, as much as Michel Platini.

The relationship was "excellent" because the two players "speak the same football", relished Deschamps, forced to admit that "Grizou" is much more comfortable in axial support of the attacking duo than positioned on the right side.

- Absentees to be reinstated -

With only four holders of the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday at kick-off (Lloris, Varane, Pogba, Griezmann), Deschamps will have to deal with weight returns for the semi-final of the League of Nations, on October 7 against Belgium in Turin.

Will Lucas Hernandez immediately find his left lane, to the detriment of his little brother Theo or Lucas Digne?

Or is there for this professional central back a place to take in a three-way defense?

The return of N'Golo Kanté will push Adrien Rabiot on the bench, or will he force Deschamps to switch back to a system with three midfielders, alongside the irremovable Paul Pogba?

Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé warming up before the 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Bosnia on September 1, 2021 in Strasbourg FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

The major question concerns Kylian Mbappé, absent due to injury for this rebound match in Lyon.

In seven tenures in a row since June, the Griezmann-Benzema-Mbappé trio has very rarely shone ... But in a single cape, the Benzema-Griezmann duo has magnified the game of the world champions.

"Kylian has his place in this trio. I prefer that he is there, there is no photo", evacuated "DD".

It's up to him to prove that the recipe remains just as spicy with the Parisian.

© 2021 AFP