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shovel injuries

"The repetition of matches has cost us dearly, losing players from one match to another. Tonight some are in basketball on the bench", noted Didier Deschamps on Monday after the 1-0 defeat against Croatia in Saint -Denis, terminus of an internship with two points gained out of twelve possible.

The coach, deprived of Paul Pogba in June, lost his other pillar of the midfield, N'Golo Kanté, to injury, holder against Denmark (2-1 defeat) in the opening then spared, before being forced to forfeit.

Touched against the Danes, Raphaël Varane (thigh) also had to throw in the towel.

Kylian Mbappé (knee) came out of the same game grimacing and took a week before he could play again, weakened in Austria (1-1) and probably still down on Monday.

The day before, only thirteen field players had been able to participate in collective training, which says a lot about the tinkering to which Deschamps was forced.

Presnel Kimpembe, the new captain of the France team, before the match against Croatia on June 14, 2022 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP

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Binding list, revised system

While he had bet on a system with three central defenders almost all season, it was enough of a defeat, at the start against Denmark, for the coach to radically revise his plans.

The boss of the Blues relaunched his 4-4-2 of the 2018 World Cup in the following three matches and his squad suddenly appeared quite limited for this scheme, like the right-back position, occupied Monday by Jules Koundé despite very insufficient performance when he was aligned in this role in selection.

The profile of Jonathan Clauss, perceived as a side player, thus seems rather unsuitable, while other more attacking wingers, such as Ousmane Dembélé, were not called up due in particular to their "use in the system", according to The fields.

"Compared to players fit to start, (it was necessary) to put them in the best possible conditions, which led me to change the system", he defended himself after the setback against Croatia.

Aurélien Tchouameni in the fight with Luka Modric during France-Croatia on June 13, 2022 AT the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP

The team lined up, however, went against this premise: Koundé played on the side when he usually plays in the center of defense, while Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku, eccentric in Saint-Denis, prefer to play in the heart of the game.

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Large workforce review

"This gathering allowed me to give young people time to toughen up, even if it means making mistakes that are paid for in cash", wanted to retain Deschamps, forced to (re) throw in the deep end players with little or no cap .

In the game of rotation, goalkeeper N.2 Mike Maignan showed his advantage, only losing on penalties against Croatia (1-1 on the way out, 0-1 on the return).

Holder Hugo Lloris keeps his place warm but, in the event of a glitch, the Blues can count on the Milanese.

In defense, Presnel Kimpembe offered the expected solidity in the axis, captain's armband on his arm during his two tenures.

Varane's package allowed William Saliba (21) and newcomer Ibrahima Konaté (23) to show themselves, without fully convincing.

Adrien Rabiot with the France team against Croatia on June 13, 2022 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP

The former was too soft on Austria's winning goal;

the second conceded the fatal penalty against Croatia on Monday, a clumsiness which taints a rather encouraging copy.

In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni has consolidated his emerging status, despite his 22 years, sowing real promise on the road to the World Cup.

It was less obvious for Mattéo Guendouzi (23), whose expression is sometimes limited despite unfailing involvement.

Coming into play in Split, Boubacar Kamara (22) combined efficiency and slaughter in Vienna, before dropping a little in speed in Saint-Denis, while showing great things.

After a fairly neutral first rally in March, Christopher Nkunku (24) invited himself into the ball of contenders for a place at the World Cup in the very competitive tricolor attack line.

The Leipzig player signed two assists.

© 2022 AFP