It is now double or quits.
Far from appearing untouchable since the start of the Euro, the world champions are counting on their round of 16 against Switzerland, Monday June 28 in Bucharest, to find the right formula and finally launch their march towards the title, the stated goal of the Blues.
On paper, Switzerland is a largely affordable opponent for France.
The Nati has not won for 29 years against France.
However, the match between Italy and Austria will have served as a reminder: in one match, anything is possible, even seeing the Austrians hang on to the Nazionale for 95 minutes.
"Now we know, either we stay or we return," said Paul Pogba at the final whistle of Portugal-France (2-2) on Wednesday.
The midfielder of the Blues has probably not forgotten that his partners were released in eighth at the 2018 World Cup against Argentina in a crazy match concluded with a score of 4 to 3, after a sluggish first round.
He also remembers that once the machine started, it never stopped.
A shortage on the left
France was entitled to five days of rest between the end of its group stage and its round of 16.
What rests the organizations but also the opportunity to reflect on the different puzzles posed by the multitude of injuries that occurred in the group of Didier Deschamps.
The major concern concerns the position of left side.
Lucas Digne suffers from a muscle injury to a thigh which compromises his participation as a result of the competition.
Lucas Hernandez drags him a discomfort to one knee and his tenure remains uncertain: he did not participate in the tactical set-up during the final training on Sunday, contenting himself with individual exercises, with the ball.
In addition to Ousmane Dembélé, already forfeited, Marcus Thuram (adductors) will be absent Monday evening and Jules Koundé (blow to a thigh), most certainly also.
The medical staff also continues to closely follow Thomas Lemar (blow to the left leg).
Faced with the shortage on the left side, it could be that Didier Deschamps makes the choice of daring: a tactical plan in 3–5–2 seen in Albania in November 2019 and in September 2020 but never implemented during a competition major.
The scheme would do without a side and would place Clément Lenglet at the heart of the three-way defense, replacing the unwavering Kimpembe and Varane.
The scheme was tested on Saturday in training.
For the match against Switzerland, do you find that good?
Tweet upcoming poll .. pic.twitter.com/OsYIj6vJUT
- DidierRoustan (@DidierRoustan) June 27, 2021
Beyond this tactical reflection, Didier Deschamps hopes that his line of attack, which the Europe of football envies to the Blues, finally shows its full potential.
The association between Antoine Griezmann (goal against Hungary) and Karim Benzema (doubled against Portugal) has not yet kept all its promises and Kylian Mbappé, last blade of the trident, is still looking for his first goal in the Euro.
Swiss glass ceiling
Opposite, Switzerland intends to play its luck bravely.
It also has a few arguments to make.
Led by experienced goalkeeper Yann Sommer, Liverpool point guard Xherdan Shaqiri and Mönchengladbach striker Breel Embolo, the Helvetians have had a little more rest than their opponents.
Then, they can boast of a certain regularity: Switzerland has qualified for the knockout stages of the last four major tournaments.
Only Belgium and… France can say the same.
Problem: it systematically hits the glass ceiling of knockout matches.
His last quarter-final dates back to the 1954 World Cup at home.
"We wait that once, finally, Switzerland qualifies," said ex-international Stéphane Henchoz.
"Four times we failed, once with honors," he adds to AFP, referring to the elimination against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in the 118th minute (1–0 ap).
In the National Arena in Bucharest, Switzerland will finally want to pulverize this glass ceiling.
Otherwise, France will head to a remake of the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia.
Unless the Spaniards cut off the wings of the Croats.
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR