Youri Djorkaeff, consultant for TF1 during the European Championship, was an attentive and wise observer of this France-Germany (1-0). The world and European champion mainly retains the result and the ability of the French to have responded to the physical challenge proposed by the Mannschaft. To hear it all was not perfect in the content. But the man with 82 selections (28 goals) wants to be pragmatic and realistic. The Blues have, according to him, laid an important first stone and must, now, go crescendo in this tournament.
The strength of a collective in unison
Some agree in praising the volume of play of Paul Pogba (12 balls recovered and 13 duels won, match records), at the origin of the only goal of the match or the reading of the trajectories and the direction of the Raphaël Varane’s impeccable anticipation. The “snake”, his nickname when he was a player, refuses to distinguish an individuality and he explains it. “I will not bring out a particular player. I prefer to insist on collective performance. The Blues defended perfectly. Sometimes even a little too low, he notes. It was necessary to go through it. The guys did it well and they did a great job. Germany was playing without a center forward. She managed to recover many balls, to use the width, without obtaining, in the end, many opportunities. To try to surprise us, it had to print a sustained pace. She applied herself to it, but was undoubtedly surprised by our ability to reduce the spaces. The tricolor block never cracked. There were, however, technical errors. I hardly counted more than three or four passes in a row. It will take a little more speed, movement and accuracy in the ball exits. You have to be lucid. Everyone ignites. I’m a little bit surprised. Honestly, I did not attend an extraordinary meeting ”.
A physical challenge met
Two days before the match, Antonio Rüdiger, the rough German defender, had already started hostilities. He promised strong opposition to the Blues of Didier Deschamps. He kept his word, but found someone to talk to. “I expected a big physical shock,” says Djorkaeff. We held on. This is what must first be remembered. We were able to take up this challenge and respond present in self-denial in particular. This is really interesting. After two preparation matches won (too) easily, we had a legitimate question about the ability of this French team to fight. On this specific point, she provided satisfactory answers. I am the first happy. It will mark the spirits with this other facet of its panoply. Everyone expected the treat. It will come perhaps and even surely thereafter, but there I saw and I liked the Blues in warrior mode ”.
Forwards in warm blue
Everyone praises and envies the formidable attacking potential of the world champions led by his stripper trio Griezmann-Benzema-Mbappé. This Tuesday evening, despite a few flashes, it was however necessary to resort to a goal against his camp of the unfortunate Hummels to win. “We know that Kylian is going at 2000 per hour. He has sometimes managed to find spaces and gain speed, observes the former Parisian. We all know, too, Griezmann’s ability to score incredible goals. It was questioned, however, if they would have this aptitude to contribute to defensive tasks. We did not see our attackers in their usual register. They came back within their twenty meters, they tackled… .. That’s what is important. This generosity and this solidarity in the efforts. Germany did not imagine the trio offensive tricolor in capacity to bring, thus, its contribution to the defensive spots ”.
Clear room for improvement
Having played a lot in his career, Djorkaeff is fully aware of the importance of a successful entry into a tournament. “Everyone touches the reality of a Euro. A first match is never easy, nor insignificant, he insists. England and even Italy or Portugal have also suffered before us. Spain turned out to be incapable of beating Sweden. It was the same for us, but we took all three points. To launch a competition as well as possible, I prefer a victory obtained in pain with a lot of spirit of sacrifice. It’s important for a group. France will quickly gain momentum and regain technical fluidity from the next matches. This success will put the Blues in the best possible position. I imagine them much more relaxed on Saturday against Hungary. They have crossed this pitfall well. It is a step. Some will be easier than others ”.
:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/WUAI25IVXBAQHHTLGV35CVLLAI.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
