The World Cup has been over for a little over 15 days and it is now high time to put on the warm-up blue for the French vice-world champions in their respective clubs. Nevertheless, of the 25 blues present in Qatar, only 11 have made their return to competition on European lawns. Overview.
They are already in great shape: Mbappé, Varane, Saliba, Griezmann
So as not to dwell again and again on this final, which is certainly legendary but above all lost by the Blues against Argentina (3-3, 4-2 on pens), Kylian Mbappe quickly found his way back to training with Paris Saint-Germain. From December 21, the day after his 24th birthday, he was already immersed in the daily life of his club with the resumption of Ligue 1 scheduled for December 27 in sight. Six days later, therefore, here he is aligned from the start by Christophe Galtier to face Strasbourg. A meeting more hooked than expected for a PSG who will rely on a penalty obtained on the gong and transformed by… Kylian Mbappé of course. His 13th goal in 15 Ligue 1 games this season.
Across the Channel, back-to-school time has also come for Raphael Varane, also established in the middle of last week against Nottingham Forest. At the heart of the Manchester United defence, the vice-captain of the Blues was solid and reassuring and his team easily won 3-0. And this Saturday, he again played 90 minutes on the lawn of Wolverhampton (1-0 victory for the Red Devils). At the end of his strength during extra time against Argentina two weeks ago, the former Madrid player has visibly regained all his vigor.
vigor, William Saliba had, a priori, to spare given his starving playing time in Qatar (30 minutes against Tunisia). A real Arsenal rearguard this season, the former Marseille player already has 180 Premier League minutes in his hands, acquired against West Ham (3-1 victory) then Brighton (4-2 success). At last, Antoine Griezmann was also in the starting lineup of his team, Atletico Madrid, who challenged the red lantern Elche at home on Thursday. Result: two assists for the Frenchman and a serene victory for the Colchoneros (2-0).
They resume gently: the Monegasques and the people of Madrid
If AS Monaco went to win at Auxerre (2-3) for their resumption match, they had to compose without two of their captains, left on the bench at kick-off. And relied on a 17-year-old young man, Eliesse Ben Seghir, who scored twice for his very first Ligue 1 match. Youssouf Fofana, who took part in six matches for the French team during the World Cup in Qatar only came into play at half-time and even distinguished himself with a goal… against his side. On his side, Axel Disasiwas content with 20 minutes at the end of the match to get back into the Ligue 1 bath. The two players, on the other hand, were lined up this Sunday for the reception of Brest at Louis II.
Abroad, Aurelien Tchouameni took part in the last five minutes of the game in Valladolid where Real Madrid won 2-0 thanks to a brace from Karim Benzema. A first goal on penalty and a second on a service…Eduardo Camavinga, entered the game in the 69th minute. Less favorable scenario, on the other hand for the Barcelona rival, hanging on at Camp Nou during the derby against Espanyol (1-1). Xavi had decided to place Ousmane Dembele et Jules Kounde on the bench at kick-off. The two men came into play when they returned from the locker room, in the 62nd minute for the former Rennes player, in the 82nd minute for the ex-Bordeaux player.
As for the goalkeepers, the recovery proved to be very delicate since Hugo Llorisfaulty on the first goal of Aston Villa, lost with Tottenham at home against the Villans (0-2) and that Steve Mandanda left empty-handed from Reims where Rennes lost 3-1.
They are still on vacation: Serie A and Bundesliga players
The two championships only resuming on January 4 and 20 respectively, many French players have not yet had the opportunity to resume their routine. Among them, we can mention the Milanese Olivier Giroud et Theo Hernandez but also the Turinese Adrien Rabiot. Across the Rhine, the French colony of Bayern Munich (Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano) will return to action on the lawn of Leipzig in just under three weeks. Same thing for Randal Colorhero of the World Cup semi-final against Morocco (2-0) whose return with Eintracht Frankfurt should take place on Saturday January 21 against Schalke 04.
Finally, the Marseillais Matthew Guendouzi et Jordan Veretout should get back into the rhythm on Monday in Montpellier after being rested during the Marseille demonstration at the Vélodrome against Toulouse (6-1).
