A success against Serbia on Monday will allow Guillaume Gille's men to achieve a clear round in this first round in Hungary.

Above all, it will be an opportunity to score as many points as possible, counted for the rest of the competition that the Blues had not reached in 2020.

Admittedly, after dominating Croatia in what was supposedly the most difficult match in their group, the French came out as huge favorites against an inexperienced Ukrainian team who had never beaten them in six contested matches.

The opportunity for Gille to rotate his workforce by leaving Nikola Karabatic at rest and highlighting the young generation, like Thibaud Briet.

Briet's moment

Launched into the deep end after his first selection in a friendly against Germany, the Nantes player, who entered quickly during the first act, demonstrated his full potential at the height of his 22 years and 2m05 by scoring his first goal with the Blues shortly after. his appearance.

"The objective was to have fun, to have no regrets at the end of the match. I didn't think I would come in so quickly, I'm very happy with what I produced. There was a bit of stress before, when I found out that I was playing. But once on the pitch, there are no more, "said the tricolor left-back with a big smile.

"He seized his chance in a very good way", was satisfied with his coach.

Another smile, that of Romain Lagarde.

Little in sight against Croatia, the Breton was elected man of the match, with his four achievements, including the first tricolor goal of the game.

French left-back Romain Lagarde shoots on goal against Urkaine, during the second match of the preliminary round of Euro-2022, on January 15, 2022 in Szeged (Hungary) ATTILA KISBENEDEK AFP

Already battered by Serbia at the opening of their Euro, the Ukrainians tried to keep their heads above water, sometimes thanks to the saves of their goalkeeper Gennady Komok (10 saves), sometimes by the flashes of Dmytro Horiha (7 goals) .

But the French left with a comfortable mattress of six goals at the break (17-11).

Pardin efficient

And as if that wasn't enough, Horiha was sent off early in the second half (34'), leaving the Ukrainians somewhat helpless.

The Blues then took the opportunity to take off, leading to 15 goals.

Dylan Nahi (6 goals) and Melvyn Richardson (4) added to the success.

Vincent Gérard (7 saves) was also able to delegate to Wesley Pardin, author of a second quality act (7/19) in the cage.

French goalkeeper Wesley Pardin, during the Group E match of the 2021 World Cup against Norway, January 14, 2021 in Cairo Anne-Christine POUJOULAT POOL / AFP / Archives

From now on, the France team will need even more seriousness to afford a 3/3 in front of Serbia on Monday.

A match not to be taken lightly.

"We need points", recalled Guillaume Gille, "this group is still young and needs to take on thickness and all that accumulates with experience. This little final will be interesting for that".

And also to take revenge.

Serbia had beaten the Blues in January 2021 in qualifying for the Euro (24-27).

© 2022 AFP