The Blues face Sweden on November 17, 2020 at the Stade de France.
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FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The France team beat Sweden on Tuesday evening in the League of Nations.
Thus ended a series of eight games since the start of the school year in September.
Didier Deschamps carried out numerous tests, both tactical and in the choice of players, in view of the Euro next summer.
At the Stade de France,
As expected, Didier Deschamps used the eight games exceptionally on the program this year between September and November to do a whole series of tests.
Finally, "changes", is it better to say so as not to offend the coach, who jumps up every time he hears this word.
However, we do not see what else to say, when we take the time to dwell on everything we have seen since the first leg in Sweden.
Whether at the system or human level, DD has carried out a wide review of possible options.
We will try to see a little more clearly, while there will be only one gathering, in March, before the list for the Euro in 2021.
Tactical systems
Deschamps kept it simple.
He tested 3-5-2 against Sweden and Croatia in September, 4-4-2 diamond against Ukraine, Portugal and Croatia in October, and 4-4-2 type “World 2018” in this month of November.
Result of the races, the asymmetrical pattern out of the hat in Russia is still the one in which the Blues are the most efficient.
Again this Tuesday, with for once the offensive left side (with Thuram) than the right (with Sissoko), while until then it was the opposite (Mbappé or Coman on the right, Matuidi or now Rabiot on the left).
“There is no system that I did not like, but that of this evening, we control it, it is the most rational for us, analysis Deschamps.
I took this option against Portugal because there was something at stake and it was important to have benchmarks.
It was time to work on other options, which I could use, perhaps, in competition.
Everything will depend on what we have in front of us as well, on what the opponent can offer us.
"
With this in mind, we will not bury the diamond, very interesting with circles like Camavinga and Tolisso (who were not available for this rally) and which has the merit of leaving Griezmann free while allowing Mbappé to play in the axis.
The 3-5-2 starts from much further, because it requires a total overhaul of the habits of the players.
And Deschamps seems to stick to his three working circles.
Men
Not much to report in defense.
Unless injured or misshapen, we can consider that Pavard, Dubois, Varane, Zouma, Kimpembe, Lenglet, Hernandez and Digne are in place.
The only surprise could come from the young Upamecano, Koundé or Fofana, who if they continue to push could covet the place of Zouma or Lenglet.
In midfield, Rabiot arguably won his place in Portugal, as he might have lost in Bulgaria for the World Cup.
Aligned in a lower position against Sweden, alongside Pogba, he was more sober but just as effective.
Behind the unavoidable Kanté and Pogba, Tolisso and Camavinga, absent, do not have too much to worry about if they are at their level.
There will remain a place among the defensive players, between Sissoko and Nzonzi, which for once would constitute a real choice between two very different profiles.
Abundance in attack
It is obviously in attack that the choice promises to be the most difficult.
If Deschamps takes six midfielders, that makes six men to choose from Mbappé, Griezmann, Giroud, Martial, Coman, Ben Yedder, Thuram, Aouar, Fekir and Dembélé.
Non-exhaustive list.
A lot of things that will matter can change between now and March and the end of the season, of course.
Giroud's playing time is an uncertainty, Dembélé's ability to play five games in a row without getting injured again too.
In the meantime, some have scored points - although Deschamps doesn't like that expression either.
Marcus Thuram, the newcomer for the month of November, made a very strong impression.
“It's never easy when you come for the first time.
He is impervious to all that, he has no particular emotion, observes DD.
He likes to play, and the higher the level the more he likes.
He had some playing time, and he showed what he was capable of doing, with the ball, this ability to strike.
And what he does on the second base, not everyone can do.
"
Thuram on the way to the Euro?
- FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Yes, this sequence of dribbles between three players at the entrance to the surface, with a Zizou roulette in it, it was necessary to try it.
The kid's daring pleased.
He participated in all three games, including two from the kick-off.
The coach is not always so generous with the pledges.
Anthony Martial has played a lot, too.
Seven out of the eight games, including four as a starter, while this had not happened to him since 2018. He did not take the opportunity to score his second goal in the selection, which he has been waiting desperately for more than four years, but Deschamps liked his performances and his attitude.
“He has changed on and off the pitch,” said the Blues boss after Portugal.
Over the years, we gain in maturity.
He is much more determined in everything he does.
"
15 - Antoine Griezmann is involved on 15 goals in his last 16 starts with the Blues (6 goals, 9 assists).
Essential.
pic.twitter.com/ntheEDXvnD
- OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 17, 2020
Ben Yedder, like everyone else, missed out against Finland and didn't have the opportunity to make up for it because of the Covid, but his profile still pleases.
On another note, Aouar, who had to decline this time after being timid against Ukraine last month, may have more to worry about.
“I'll see in March, evades DD.
These will be hard choices to make.
Bringing in a lot of players gives everyone a chance to hope, and that's okay.
"
He won't complain.
This is exactly what he was looking for.
“I have a lot of the roster, yeah, and then we have different options.
Marcus may be one, for example, but others who are not there may return in March.
We will reflect with the staff, it will be a question of balance in relation to these options.
“For talent, there is what it takes.
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