Already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar, the France team is not affected by the play-off matches that Italy and Portugal will play in particular. The Blues will still put on their tunics during two friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire next Friday in Marseille and then against South Africa four days later in Lille. Several players called up by Didier Deschamps were on point this weekend. Overview of their performance.
Monegasques and Bavarians feast, Giroud decisive
In Blue, he does not enjoy the same status of indisputable holder as in the principality. But the two new goals scored by Wissam Ben Yedder in Ligue 1 is necessarily good news for the France group. Faced with a very weak PSG, the former Toulousain first perfectly cut off a cross from Fofana at the near post before giving more scope to the Monegasque success on penalty in the second half (3-0). A meeting attended by Aurelien Tchouamenipretty good in the ASM midfield.
Across the Rhine, other tricolors were in verve this weekend. The former Parisian Kingsley Coman put Bayern on the right track against Union Berlin. With a powerful shot from the right foot from 25m, on a service of Lucas Hernandez, he scored the first goal in Munich’s 4-0 success. In Italy, Olivier Giroud, recalled by Deschamps, Saturday, in the absence of Karim Benzema, again distinguished himself in the jersey of AC Milan against Cagliari. No goal but a nice decisive pass in the register he likes. A return to goal well felt for the Algerian Ismaël Bennacer who concludes with a superb strike left foot. 1-0 success for the Rossoneri with Théo Hernandez starter on the left side of defence. Tested positive on March 17 for Covid 19, Benjamin Surname was himself absent. His presence, this Monday at Clairefontaine, is far from guaranteed. In the event of a package, the staff could call on Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Marseille) or even Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool).
Victory also for Antoine Griezmann with Atlético during the Madrid derby against Rayo Vallecano (0-1) but also for the new kid Jonathan Clauss, winner of Clermont with Lens (3-1). With Chelsea, N’Golo Kanté advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals against Middlesbrough but only played 20 minutes. Adrien Rabiot participated in the entire meeting won by Juventus against the red lantern Salernitana (2-0), just like Matteo Guendouziin legs against Nice (2-1).
Not retained among the 23, Ousmane Dembele confirms its return to the fore and sets a date for the June deadlines in the League of Nations. Sunday evening, the winger was essential in the card inflicted on Real Madrid (0-4). Double decisive passer, he also participated in the third before being replaced in the 80th minute. .
The Parisians cry, Nkunku mute
He is definitely alone in this team. Kylian Mbappé did everything to get PSG out of the Monegasque rut but his partners did not follow him. Presnel Kimpembeto name a few, gave Wissam Ben Yedder surprising freedom on the first goal before conceding a penalty in the second half for a 3-0 final defeat.
He left PSG three years ago. Christopher Nkunku made the heyday of Leipzig with 26 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season. But this weekend, he did not find the fault at home against Eintracht Frankfurt (0-0). Same personal assessment without goal for Moussa Diaby with Bayer Leverkusen, even if Paulinho, author of a double, offered the victory to his people at the very end of the match against Wolfsburg (0-2).
Hugo Lloris didn’t have much work to do in Tottenham’s 3-1 victory over West Ham, and yet the tricolor goalkeeper couldn’t stop the Hammers’ only shot on target – a fine shot at the second post on a corner. Not retained for the next two meetings of the Blues, Kurt Zoumaalways whistled by the English supporters, scored an own goal from the start.