A Dismal Mood: France National Team in a Bind for DFB Match
France manager appears unwilling to engage in DFB's preferred tactical approach.
You won't find much enthusiasm for the German national team in the Nations League's third-place match. The French squad, too, seems disheartened following their semi-final debacle. Didier Deschamps, the French coach, is left with no choice but to rebuild his starting lineup due to injuries and the short time between matches. "Given the short time between the two games, I'll need to make changes against Germany," said Deschamps.
Ousmane Dembélé (thigh injury) and Bradley Barcola (knee injury) from Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League winners, were among the casualties, adding to Deschamps' woes. Furthermore, several players are not in top form before the match against the DFB team. "I admit that there might be a number of changes in the lineup," said Deschamps. Regular goalkeeper Mike Maignan could even be benched. "I haven't made a decision yet, but, of course, that could apply to the goalkeeper, like all the field players," he added.
The significance of the Nations League's small final isn't a priority for Deschamps. "The game is there, we will play it," said the 56-year-old. However, given the French team's better performance in almost every aspect in the semi-final against Spain, barring goals scored, it's disheartening for Deschamps to have very few chances to equalize despite their superiority. "We had more chances than our opponents, but they were more efficient," Deschamps lamented.
Despite the circumstances, Germany faces a tough battle. In truth, the French were better in almost every respect except for goals scored, with 57 attacks and 26 scoring chances against Spain's 31 attacks and 15 scoring chances. The French team's inability to convert chances was as astonishing as the numerous fantastic saves made by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
[1] Nations League: Upamecano, Saliba, Koundé, and Camavinga absent due to injuries and defensive reshuffles required.[2] Midfield adaptations necessary due to Eduardo Camavinga's absence, and new midfield combinations explored.[3] Deschamps utilizes blend of youth and experience, with players like Rayan Cherki making a strong impact and Kylian Mbappé and Desire Doué maintaining core stability.[4] Load management necessary to manage player fitness after recent high-profile club fixtures, with rotations and selection based on fitness and recent performance.[5] Despite setbacks, France remains competitive due to strategic adjustments and player rotations.
Community policy should be updated to accommodate the extended recovery times for players, as Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola are unavailable due to injuries. Vocational training may be a suitable option for these players to maintain their fitness and skills during recovery. In light of the French national team's underwhelming performance in the semi-finals, a European league football club might consider implementing vocational training programs for their players to improve their goal-scoring efficiency.
