A Slacked-off Spirit: Deschamps Ponders Lineup Changes in France's Game against Germany
France's Coach Seems Reluctant to Engage in DFB's Style of Play
The German national team's bid for the Nations League title is hanging by a thread. The French, too, aren't exactly buzzing with excitement for their third-place game – so says the temperamental Didier Deschamps.
With the Champions League golden boys nursing injuries and the team's collective spirits dampened, Deschamps hinted at shakeups within his team for the match against Germany (3:00 PM/RTL and in the live ticker at ntv.de) in Stuttgart. "Given the whirlwind of events, I'll likely have to make some changes against Germany," Deschamps cautioned. After their eyebrow-raising 4:5 defeat against Spain in the semifinals, Ousmane Dembélé (thigh injury) and Bradley Barcola (knee injury) from PSG joined the injured list with hip injuries.
Beyond the physical setbacks, Deschamps addressed concerns about player form for the game against the DFB team. "A handful of my squad members aren't at their peak for this match," the coach admitted. Such circumstances could prompt significant alterations in the lineup, even potentially affecting first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan. "I haven't made a decision yet, but the goalkeeper is certainly not immune to rotation," Deschamps said, hinting at a possible rest for his shot-stopper.
Inserting Youth vs. Surviving the SprintWhile the significance of the small Nations League final lies in the balance, Deschamps' enthusiasm seems somewhat dampened. "The game is there, we'll play it," said the 56-year-old, his words sounding more like an obligation than excitement. However, one should take caution when interpreting his words given the understandable disappointment, as a third consecutive defeat against Germany is not on Deschamps' to-do list.
The contest with Germany may serve as a testing ground for Deschamps' coaching staff and offer valuable insights into their preparations for future competitions. But with the unique challenges lurking, fatalism is in order. In the semi-final, France dominated most areas of play against Spain, boasting 57 attacks and 26 goal-scoring chances, yet only managing to find the back of the net four times. Spain? A modest 31 attacks and 15 goal chances. According to Deschamps, "We had significantly more opportunities than our opponents, but they were more ruthless in converting them."
Extra Time:- Fatigue Management: The grueling schedule, combined with the drain of the intense semifinal against Spain, leaves Deschamps pondering rotation and rest for his players to avoid burnout and injuries. This strategy will enable him to conserve vital players while curbing losses.- Pragmatism: Deschamps has a reputation for being a pragmatic coach, adjusting his team tactics to match opponents and the situation. Against Germany, he may field a balanced roster comprised of seasoned veterans and promising youngsters, boasting both scoring opportunities and control over the match.- Youth Infusion: The third-place match offers Deschamps an opportunity to provide game time to younger players like Rayan Cherki, providing them crucial international experience and an edge in breaking into the main squad.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid/dpa
- Nations League
- Football
- France
- DFB
- Football National Team
- Coaching Strategy
- Player Management
The French coaching staff might find the third-place game of the Nations League an opportune moment to employ a mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters, thereby offering vocational training opportunities to players like Rayan Cherki, enhancing their readiness for future competitions. With the grueling schedule and the aftermath of the intense semifinal against Spain still being felt, it seems plausible that Deschamps will implement impactful changes in the lineup, not just in the field but also potentially within the goalkeeper position, prioritizing player management and fatigue mitigation.
