Anthony Martial was decisive during France-Croatia, September 8, 2020. -

FRANCK FIFE / AFP

  • The France team beat Croatia on Tuesday night in the League of Nations.

  • Anthony Martial, who started with a good start against Sweden on Saturday, put in a great performance. 

  • Involved in the first two goals of the matches, he finally met the expectations of Didier Deschamps, who also praised his state of mind. 

At the Stade de France,

This time, Anthony Martial was not wrong.

Called intermittently to the Blues since his accession in 2015, the Manchester United striker seems to have finally met the expectations of Didier Deschamps.

"I wouldn't say he's transformed, but he's changed," said the coach after the game on Tuesday night.

I've noticed it off the pitch before, he's at an age where he's realizing what he's capable of.

"

In DD's mouth, that says it all.

The latter has sufficiently highlighted his "tendency to be a little relaxed" when explaining his non-summons in the past to understand the scope of these few words.

Absent for more than two years - sometimes because of injuries when he had been called up - the former Monegasque scored points.

Entered into play in the last quarter of an hour against Sweden, it immediately had an impact, causing a penalty, missed by Griezmann.

Holder against Croatia, he offered a goal to the Barcelona, ​​after having been at the start of the action, then he scored.

Well almost.

His shot on the post was knocked back in goal by the Croatian goalkeeper.

It will not count as his second goal for the France team, for his 20th selection, but in the mark he left on this match, it's just like.

"It's been a long time since I had not come so it was important to me to play a good game, he soberly at the final whistle.

It's always important [to show up].

"

9 - Anthony Martial got 9 fouls against Croatia tonight, only Franck Ribéry (10 v Ukraine on November 15, 2013) did better in a match with the Blues since Opta analyzed the selection (2006).

Poison 🐍.

#FRACRO pic.twitter.com/TqTSeu7fxe

- OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 8, 2020

He has already done it, with the Blues, for example against Germany in Cologne, in 2017, alongside Alexandre Lacazette.

But there had been no tomorrow.

At the time, beyond his behavior, he was not living his best period with MU, then coached by José Mourinho.

The Portuguese did not trust him, and Martial gave him back.

The arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December 2018 changed everything.

Aligned at the tip and no longer on one side, he regained confidence and signed in 2019-2020 the best season of his career, with 23 goals.

"I don't know if it's linked to his relationship with Solskjaer, but we find him more confident," Hugo Lloris said on Monday.

He gave himself the opportunity to have a chance for the France team.

He wants to settle down over time.

"

"He's on the right track"

“He's a player who is able to make the difference, to score, to score and who is very solid, salutes Deschamps.

I saw him there as he is able to do in Manchester.

So much the better.

He knew the France team and the very high level very early on, he was hampered by injuries, now it's up to him to continue.

What he did today [Tuesday] shows that he is on the right track.

"

At 24, Anthony Martial almost restarted a new career in the France team.

While the Euro is looming at the end of the year, and the next World Cup is not so far away, it is in pole position to be the number 1 alternative to Kylian Mbappé.

It is difficult to see the two being associated, in the name of the variety of profiles dear to DD.

But one thing at a time.

  • Sport

  • Croatia

  • Anthony Martial

  • Didier Deschamps

  • Soccer

  • French football team