Paris, Marseille, Monaco, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Milan, Turin… Europe was well represented in the French team at the kick-off of the draw conceded in Croatia on Monday evening in Split (1-1). A melting pot of incumbent players in their club but with little experience in Blue who did rather well in the selection of Didier Deschamps against the vice-world champions, until the last ten poorly controlled minutes. However, it is difficult to imagine a reversal of the hierarchy.
In defense. Some scored points, like Mike Maignan in goal. The 2022 Italian champion with AC Milan confirms month after month his status as the future number 1 of the Blues when captain Hugo Lloris hands over. For the time being, there is no question of questioning the status of the latter. Maignan knows this but he is already giving guarantees for the future. He suffered five shots on target Monday evening for three decisive saves, a penalty where he can do nothing and a first saved by Presnel Kimpembe.
The Parisian defender, captain for the first time, shone with his authority and his confidence on the Croatian lawn. He will put the coach in difficulty when it comes to choosing between him and Lucas Hernandez on the next important deadlines. This will not be the case for William Saliba, still learning at the international level. Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Digne did not illuminate the meeting but above all they had to focus on the defensive balance of the French block.
Between. More questions. Aurélien Tchouaméni, the only player to chain Denmark and Croatia, has dropped a tone compared to the rally in March. Deschamps noted it after the match while pointing out real circumstances (end of season, career choice). Mattéo Guendouzi continues his discovery of the very high level. Adrien Rabiot scored in a Blaise Matuidi-style left midfield role at the 2018 World Cup. A role in which he can help but probably not settle.
In attack. For the offensive elements, it is difficult to take stock of a meeting that started without a collective benchmark. But Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby, who know each other well since their joint passage through PSG, showed great technical complicity, bringing the best blue opportunities. They could turn into “luxury jokers” behind the unstoppable trio for the time being Benzema-Mbappé-Griezmann. Finally, Wissam Ben Yedder signed an assist. But for this striker with a finisher profile, the rotation operated by the staff penalized his use in the game.