. New breath but continuity

After ten and a half years in office, would the coach manage to create a new impetus towards Euro 2024?

If the insipid performance of the first 80 minutes of the final of the World Cup lost against Argentina made this question legitimate, that of Friday night swept away the doubts: the Blues turned the page of the World Cup with an assurance that their average age - a little more than 25 years old at kick-off - was far from guaranteed.

It is also the success of the coach: by offering playing time to the new generation for many months, he may have prepared the advent of it with the Euro in Germany in sight.

"Just look at the team that finishes the World Cup final... There were not many selections", he slipped mischievously at the beginning of the week, convinced that the young people had "already taken place, taken over".

The festival against the Dutch, with ten globalists out of the eleven starters - only Mike Maignan was injured for the World Cup - proved him right.

"They need to be supervised, they have everything to be at the level and they do not want to waste time. It will require confirmation," the coach said after the game.

Aurélien Tchouaméni, symbol of this new wave already well established, shares the same feeling, before the trip to Ireland on Monday (20:45): "Certainties, we have, we showed beautiful things at the World Cup. But now it's a new adventure that begins for us."

Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé at the Stade de France on March 24, 2023 © Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP

. Relay passages

Deschamps may not have anticipated, however, that he would lose Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane, his captain and vice-captain, who retired internationally like Steve Mandanda, the "uncle" of the squad.

The three neo-retirees were able to reassure themselves from the stands of the Stade de France where they were invited. Because the next generation has ensured all positions.

By stopping a penalty from Memphis Depay late in the game, Mike Maignan perfectly launched his mandate as goalkeeper N.1.

"On his qualities as a goalkeeper and on his mental - he is a leader - I have total confidence," Deschamps said. "It's also not easy for him to replace Hugo after everything he's been able to do. But Mike really has everything to take over."

In central hinge, orphaned by Varane, the automatisms were present since Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté played four years together in Leipzig, before being associated with Qatar in the opening of the World Cup against Australia (4-1).

Didier Deschamps and Antoine Griezmann at the Stade de France on March 24, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Even in attack, the passing of the baton continued, with the very promising start of Randal Kolo Muani at the expense of dean Olivier Giroud (36 years old).

"He is fast, he takes the depth well, he knows how to keep the ball, he also defends, it helps," said Eduardo Camavinga. As for Giroud, "he brings his experience" and "is also preparing to give the relay", continued the young Madrid (20 years old).

. Mbappé, the new era

To bring this new breath to the top, who better than Kylian Mbappe?

The new captain, armband on the biceps, opened this new chapter with a double and an assist, without his new assignment restraining or disturbing him.

"The armband is not going to change it. He gets involved, he makes efforts like everyone else. He is the captain, but he has played matches like this before," Deschamps insisted.

In the locker room, "Kyks" is unanimous from the top of his 24 years. "He's our captain, it suits him well because he's a good leader. We could see it tonight, "confirmed Maignan on the channel L'Equipe.

By giving the keys of the team to the Parisian, Deschamps is in any case already projecting himself towards 2024, or even 2026. But confirmation will first go through Dublin, from Monday.

© 2023 AFP