The last time Scotland came to visit us, on June 4, 2016 in Metz, it simply served as a final dress rehearsal before the Euro that France was preparing to host. The Chardon eleven, which was not qualified for the competition, had measured everything that separated it from the big world. As expected, he had suffered the relentless domination of the Blues at Saint-Symphorien (3-0), engraved by a double from Olivier Giroud, a rare French survivor from this distant era, just like Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman.
Since then, Steve Clarke’s Scotland has changed a lot. She has traveled a colossal path (from 67th to 31st place in the FIFA rankings), until she gradually emerges from anonymity. Guided by the enlightened choices of their new leader, the Scots had already taken part in Euro 2021, which had not happened to them for twenty-five years (1996). Sunday evening, Spain’s victory against Norway (2-0) assured them of participation in the 2024 edition which will be played in Germany, making Clarke the first coach to successfully complete the back to back with the country British.
A benchmark victory against Spain
Captain Andrew Robertson, the only survivor of the 2016 match but forfeited against the Blues due to a shoulder injury, and his friends did not joke during these qualifiers. They began their crazy rise with a record series of five victories in a row, including an authoritarian victory against Spain at the end of March (2-0), before falling against La Roja (0-2), during the return match on Thursday. last. And it is with a fierce hunger that they aspire to achieve a big success this Tuesday evening in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
“I’m not sure they yet fully realize the importance of their achievement, but to qualify for two successive Euros after more than 20 years is phenomenal and a testament to their hard work,” congratulated Steve Clarke before turning, already , towards the match against the Blues. This shows the progress we have made. We will raise a glass this evening (Sunday) to celebrate but we will get back to work tomorrow (Monday) to prepare for our friendly match against France,” he promised.
Feathered wings
In this gala match which pits him against the world vice-champions, Clarke will be deprived of his two pistons: Reds player Andrew Robertson and his counterpart on the right Aaron Hickey were injured in Seville last week. This is a huge blow as they are so dominant in Scottish animation. The two wingmen should be replaced by Nathan Patterson on the right and Greg Taylor on the left, two players who are far from guaranteeing the same level of performance.
For the rest, the 60-year-old technician should rely on clearly identifiable strengths: a robust and airtight five-man defense (3 goals in 6 matches); an ultra-dense midfield, driven by the insolent success of Scott McTominay whose repositioning higher up is a clear success (six goals, third best scorer in the qualifiers); and a very direct game which fits perfectly with modern football and the DNA of the Tartan Army. It is with these weapons that the Scots defeated Spain in March, and this is how they will try to achieve a prestigious victory against Didier Deschamps’ team.
