France are all over the place
L’Équipe delivered a brutal assessment of the French national team on the eve of the World Cup after they were beaten by Denmark on Sunday night.
Didier Deschamps’ men narrowly avoided relegation from their Nations League group after Austria were beaten by Croatia but their performance has left the local media concerned ahead of their World Cup defence in Qatar.
Several of the players received extremely low ratings with Olivier Giroud, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba all given a mere three out of 10.
Kylian Mbappé didn’t fare much better, receiving just a four out of 10, as did Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Pavard. No player scored higher than a five. Those lucky ones were goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and defender Benoît Badiashile.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was criticised for missing too many opportunities and failing to have “a concrete influence on the game.”
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga meanwhile – who was one of those brought into the side – was described as being “uninspired in his choices and in the duels.”
Goals from Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen consigned France to defeat in Copenhagen and to leave them with just five points from a possible 18.
France head into Qatar as the current world champions but their form leaves a lot to desire. Deschamps’ men are expected to make it through the group stage and go far in the tournament.
They will reunite with Denmark again in Group D as well as face Tunisia and Australia, with the latter their opening game of the competition.
Related links:
- The bizarre reason why Canada won’t have a new kit for the World Cup
- Kylian Mbappe ‘refused to participate’ in France team photoshoot
- Ecuador could be kicked out of World Cup after leaked recording confirms Byron Castillo was born in Colombia
