Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
DECRYPTAGE – The France team finds its audience this Friday evening against the Netherlands for the first time since the World Cup final lost against Argentina.
Where to follow France-Netherlands?
The vice-world champions make their comeback this Friday evening in a sold-out Stade de France. “ I can’t wait to meet the French public again “, confessed to Figaro Didier Deschamps, extended until 2026 after losing the World Cup final to Argentina on December 18 (3-3, 4 tab to 2). For their first outing in 2023, the Blues challenge the Netherlands, as part of the qualifications for Euro 2024. A match to follow live commented on our Figaro site, with information from our special correspondents Baptiste Desprez and Christophe Discount, but also with our colleagues from TF1, who have recovered the exclusivity of the broadcast of the matches of the selection. Kick-off of the match, 8:45 p.m.
What is the stake of this meeting?
Start qualifying for Euro 2024 in the best possible way. In a tight schedule, with matches scheduled for March, June, September, October and November, the French team aims to validate its ticket for the meeting. You are scheduled in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024. To achieve this, Didier Deschamps’ men must finish in the first two places in a group made up of the Netherlands, Ireland (moving to Dublin on Monday), La Grève and Gibraltar. A challenge well within the ropes of the vice-world champions.
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Suffice to say that a success against the Dutch, number one competitors for the first place, would launch the qualifications perfectly. In the other stakes of the match, it will be interesting to follow the beginnings as number one of Mike Maignan, worthy successor of Hugo Lloris. Just like the behavior of the Konaté-Upamecano hinge, attractive and solid in Qatar, without forgetting that of the midfielder Rabiot-Tchouaméni-Griezmann. The vice-captain, disappointed not to have been chosen by Deschamps, will also focus attention.
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Antoine Griezmann and Didier Deschamps. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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Who will be the man to follow on the France team?
Unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappé will be scrutinized by everyone on Friday evening when entering the lawn of the Stade de France with the captain’s armband. At 24, the French football star is taking a new step by becoming the leader of the selection, taking advantage of the international retirement of Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane. Author of three goals in the final of the World Cup, boss by word also during the epic of the Blues in Qatar, the Parisian reaches a new rank and will necessarily be observed from all sides in a role which should not disturb him.
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Accustomed to managing insane pressure since his professional debut, the best player in the world in the mind of Didier Deschamps must become a collective leader and involve the entire locker room. This is already the case at PSG, facing clients like Sergio Ramos, Leo Messi, Neymar or Marquinhos. At the crossroads of generations, between the oldest and the youngest, Bondy’s star approaches this new adventure with a smile and a relaxed attitude. Like always.
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What level should we expect from the Oranje?
It is the carnage among the Oranje. A few hours before facing the France team at the Stade de France (Friday, 8:45 p.m.), five players were affected by a virus and had to forfeit. They are Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Bart Verbruggen (Anderlecht) and Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven). The five playersleft the Dutch national team training camp this morning. They are suffering from a viral infectionadded the KNVB in a statement. They were said to have suffered from cramps and vomiting after eating a chicken curry for dinner on Wednesday. “The cause of these stomach flu symptoms is uncertain. I ate chicken myself and so far have no symptoms.Said captain Virgil van Dijk on Thursday at a press conference. New cases are feared by Friday evening.
Tributes to 5 ex-internationals, why will Karim Benzema be absent?
It’s an idea of Didier Deschamps, which he announced during his big back-to-school interview at the Figaro , and it will take place on Friday evening at the Stade de France. To salute and honor the international career of newly retired Hugo Lloris (36 years old, 145 caps), Raphaël Varane (28 years old, 93 caps), Steve Mandanda (37 years old, 35 caps), Karim Benzema (35 years old, 97 caps) and Blaise Matuidi (35 years old, 84 selections and officially retired from the field in December 2022), the coach of the Blues and his staff imagined a small ceremony before the meeting against the Bataves.
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The opportunity to pay tribute to the XXL career of the main interested parties. Inevitably, with the controversy and the muscular exchanges between Deschamps and Benzema, the absence of the Madrid player will be noticed. ” It’s not me who sends the invitations “Blowed the 54-year-old Basque on this subject last Monday. After accusing his coach of “liar” and “clown” via messages on social networks, the Ballon d’Or 2022 has remained silent for the moment. He will not make the trip to Saint-Denis. For a more than failed end of selection career.