The German opponent at the beginning crunches. Does that have any consequences for the tournament? Is France tearing itself apart again?
One for all, all for one – that is currently out of the question for the four aggressive French football musketeers. True, the pardoned Karim Benzema largely silently integrated into the offensive department of the world champion. But the chemistry is right between the young star Kylian Mbappé (22) and the twelve years older Olivier Giroud not, there is little talk of Antoine Griezmann at the moment.
Just before the European Championship opening game of the Bleus on Tuesday (from 9 p.m. in the live ticker at t-online) in Munich against the German National team Evidently a bad mood wafts through the ranks of the French.
It was only a half-sentence by Giroud that caused a mighty roar around the “Équipe Tricolore”. “The balls are not arriving,” countered the two-time goalscorer after the 3-0 win in a friendly against Bulgaria in Paris when asked about the teamwork with his fellow strikers. The observers were largely in agreement: Mbappé was meant, who is often said to have a tendency to stubbornness.
Mbappé is said to have blocked a verbal attempt at reconciliation on the part of Girouds. He later admitted that he was quite annoyed: “I only found out about it through the press. I would have preferred if we had discussed it personally in the dressing room.”
The relationship between Benzema and Giroud is generally considered to be burdened since Benzema described the difference between himself and Giroud in a tweet in March 2020 with the words: “You don’t compare Formula 1 with karting.” The crucial question before the first Group F game:
Does the French Zoff help Germany?
Pro
Yes, the Zoff causes a lack of concentration
France has the best team of the tournament and individual players such as Kanté, Pogba and Mbappé, for whom the whole football world envies them. With this team, winning the European Championship in 2021 is not just a realistic goal – it is a must. But the embarrassing French squabble between Mbappé and Giroud endangers the project. Giroud accuses Mbappé of ego behavior on the field, while the PSG star is annoyed by Giroud’s criticism of him. Kindergarten “Equipe Tricolore”!
The dispute reveals a problem: Coach Deschamps made a mistake in the European Championship planning when he brought striker Benzema back into the national team, although they were already very well filled without him and won the World Cup in 2018 without him. Completely unnecessary! One thing is certain: in the end, this decision will cost France the title.
Because the relationship between Giroud and Benzema is pre-stressed, and Giroud, as a direct competitor for the place in the attack, is unnecessarily put under pressure. Of course he wants to be on the starting line-up against Germany. But the chance of this has decreased. Giroud is nervous, which may be one of the reasons why he causes trouble – and automatically causes a lack of concentration in the team.
This is exactly what will help the DFB team on Tuesday evening to reveal the few weaknesses of the French.
Florian Wichert
Deputy Editor in Chief
Contra
No, France will only tear apart its opponents
There are 14 world champions and nine Champions League winners in what is by far the best squad: Seldom has there been such a clear favorite for the European championship title as France this year.
Now there is allegedly a bit of play-back gossip between Giroud and Mbappé. And – oh dear – the relationship between Giroud and Benzema is considered strained. There are already critical questions: Was it a mistake to bring the legend back from Real Madrid after five years? Does Germany’s potential for conflict play into the cards? You won’t be surprised by the answer. It reads: No, on the contrary.
With Benzema, coach Didier Deschamps has deliberately set an impulse that creates friction, sharpens the senses and makes a top team even better. He knows: When it comes down to it, the top stars get together – or, in an emergency, the leaders Hugo Lloris, Raphaël Varane or Paul Pogba put them on the right track. The French have learned from the scandals of past tournaments and left them behind. You will no longer tear yourself apart – only your opponents. Maybe Germany too.
Who is right?
Im “Duel of the week“Every week Florian Wichert (Deputy Editor-in-Chief at t-online) and Robert Hiersemann (Head of Football and Sport) comment on current football topics.
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