Much better the Blues, victory and pleasure against Belgium (2-0)
After their heavy defeat on Friday against Italy (1-3), the French team had to react. And they did. With a team reworked by Didier Deschamps, the Blues rediscovered the pleasure of playing. And winning.
This second match of the Nations League season had all the makings of a trap for the French football team. Had the defeat against Italy (1-3) on Friday at the Parc des Princes left its mark on the French minds? The response given at the Groupama Stadium three days later shows that France knows how to get back up when it stumbles.
With Manu Kone (80 balls touched, 10 balls recovered, 13 duels including 8 won) and Matteo Guendouzi starting in midfield in the company of the experienced N'Golo Kanté, France hurt the Belgians. Intense ball recovery, power and pugnacity. Enough to have an effective first defensive curtain and relieve the defense. Dayot Upamecano had found his starting place in central defense, like Jules Koundé, on the right.
Without Kylian Mbappé or Antoine Griezmann, Didier Deschamps had chosen a rather unusual attack : Kolo Muani, Thuram and Dembélé. Enough to swap, dribble and tire the Belgian defense.
After twenty sluggish minutes, the French team took the upper hand and imposed its game. The spectators found the Blues solid defensively and with some attacking drive.
Already a scorer in the Euro quarter-finals against Belgium, Randal Kolo Muani once again delivers the French camp, lying in wait after a poorly blocked shot from Ousmane Dembélé (1-0, 29th).
A goal per half and the three points, all is well... It was Ousmane Dembélé who made the break a little before the hour mark, after a rush which he has the secret of and a clear shot under the bar (2-0, 57th).
Didier Deschamps will then make a large review of the squad. At the same time, offering his 137th selection to Antoine Griezmann.
The players are going home tonight, the championships are already starting again this weekend. The bodies will be put to the test this season, between the various Nations League matches and the New formula Champions League until the end of January.
