Dampened Spirits: France Coach Deschamps Contemplates Third-Place Match Against Germany
France's coach appears to be unwilling to adhere to Germany's football convention.
In a sobering blow to the German national team, their chances of triumph in the Nations League appear elusive. Yet, France finds itself in a similar predicament for their third-place encounter. The atmosphere surrounding Les Bleus is far from bright, and their appetite for this showdown seems less than voracious.
The coaches are far from thrilled: Didier Deschamps is left with the arduous task of revitalizing his starting XI in the Nations League consolation match against the Germans. "Given the brief time between the two games, I will have to modify my lineup for Germany," Deschamps lamented. Following France's astonishing and peculiar 4-5 loss in the semi-final against Spain, Ousmane Dembélé (thigh injury) and Bradley Barcola (knee injury) from reigning Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain also found themselves sidelined due to a hip injury.
Contributing to Deschamps' woes, several members of his squad seemed off their top form, prompting the possibility of squad rotations and alterations. Deschamps himself hinted at potential changes, including the goalkeeper position. "I've yet to finalize my decisions, but, of course, that might extend to the goalkeeper as well, just like the field players," Deschamps shared.
The significance of the small final weighs heavily on Deschamps, who concealed his enthusiasm. "The game is on the schedule, we will play it," the 56-year-old coach said with a touch of resignation. The impending clash with the Germans could prove beneficial for Deschamps' coaching staff, "but on account of the unique circumstances," he added with caution. However, it's worth bearing in mind that a defeat against Germany, particularly the third such defeat, is a prospect Deschamps would rather eschew.
The daunting task for the Germans becomes more apparent when one reflects upon France's dominance in almost every aspect in their semi-final, aside from goals scored. France mounted 57 attacks and generated 26 scoring opportunities, whereas Spain managed 31 attacks and 15 scoring chances. The bittersweet realization for Deschamps: "We had more opportunities than our opponents, but they were more effective." France's wasted chances were nothing short of astonishing, while Unai Simón's remarkable saves by the Spanish goalkeeper left spectators breathless.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid/dpa
Insights:
- Notable Lineup Changes: Some significant changes to France's starting lineup were imminent, including the inclusion of Rayan Cherki for the first time, Loic Bade's debut, and the potential of Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé in key midfield and attacking roles. However, Dembélé was subsequently ruled out.
- Injuries and Absences: French players Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and Clement Lenglet were ruled out, while Désiré Doué might have been replaced by Cherki to provide fresh legs to the team.
- Questionable Form: Several members of France's squad were not performing optimally, prompting Deschamps to consider rotations and alterations in his starting lineup.
Amidst Deschamps' squad rotation, there could be an opportunity for vocational training within the community, helping players prepare for life after football. The third-place match against Germany might prove beneficial for both teams, especially in terms of vocational training and sports psychology, as they look towards their respective futures.
