Published on : 22/06/2021 – 12:17
Already qualified for the knockout stages of the Euro after two meetings, France crosses the road of the defending champion, the Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wednesday, June 22 in Budapest, with the desire to keep his first place in group F and to drive away the doubts of the last days.
The France team will approach their match against Portugal with less pressure. Blues are already sure to reach the round of 16 as the best third, even in the event of a loss to the Seleçao. Didier Deschamps’ men can thank Austria, Belgium, and Denmark.
But France, deprived of Ousmane Dembélé, injured and package for the rest of the Euro, will not aim for anything other than the first place in the pool. This will be obtained whatever happens in case of success against the partners of Cristiano Ronaldo. The classification of the “group of death” will have an impact on the rest of the course of the last two finalists of Euro 2016.
Avoid England in the round of 16
A second place for France raises fears of a tough round of 16 in London, potentially against England, while a first place suggests a more affordable opponent, such as Switzerland, Finland or Ukraine, in Bucharest (Romania ). A third place, on the other hand, would be synonymous with a duel against Belgium or the Netherlands, in Seville or Budapest.
In bad shape last Saturday facing the Hungary, France will have to do without Ousmane Dembélé, injured and package for the rest of the Euro. The Blues hope to regain strength against the outgoing European champions. Because first of all, the attack of Didier Deschamps the coach has not yet produced the expected sparks since the start of the Euro, after a victory against Germany (1-0) on a goal against his camp. Mats Hummels.
Only Antoine Griezmann found the net to equalize against the Hungarians (1-1). Kylian Mbappé, decisive passer, has multiplied without ever concluding. As for Karim Benzema, unable to shake the net since the start of the competition and even during the friendly preparatory matches, he must be eager to be as efficient as Real Madrid. Above all, he missed a penalty against Wales and witnessed Olivier Giroud’s brace against Bulgaria at the Stade de France. But he especially saw his goal refused against Germany at the end of the match (like Mbappé), then lacked spontaneity or precision against Hungary. Karim Benzema ” with the support of the staff and the players “Said Antoine Griezmann the day after the draw against the Hungarians.
Defending well against Cristiano Ronaldo
Under the Budapest sun, Didier Deschamps had lined up the same team as in Munich, with one exception: Lucas Digne replaced Lucas Hernandez to the left of the defense. But the reigning world champions have, according to the coach, lacked ” freshness and pep ». « The Blues were too smug. There wasn’t the necessary effort, especially when we didn’t have the ball. This analysis is valid for the defensive but also the offensive sector. I think we approached this match with too much confidence », Declared Willy Sagnol, former international defender in the columns of The team, while tackling the French defenders, Raphaël Varanne and Benjamin Pavard. The latter lived a nightmare against the Hungarians.
Overtaken Saturday by the Mannschaft (4-2), the Seleçao is not yet qualified and will want to redeem itself. Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, chases Ali Daei’s record as top scorer in national history (107 goals against 109 for the Iranian). And for the French defense, it is a question of prolonging an anomaly: the five-time Ballon d’Or scored against forty different selections, but never against France in six games.
EURO 2021: schedule and results
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