Despite very disappointing performances, the French team still made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, where it will face Spain on Tuesday night in Munich. Les Bleus, who have not scored a single goal in open play in this competition, can rely on a solid defense. Will that be enough to counter Spain and its formidable offensive armada?

Published on: 07/08/2024 – 14:39Modified on: 07/08/2024 – 22:12

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Regarding Spain, the Blues are “unanimous in saying that they are the team that plays the best in this tournament”, declared Adrien Rabiot on the eve of the Euro 2024 semi-final, Tuesday July 9 in Munich. The Spanish “have their strengths, perhaps their weaknesses too, in any case we are confident”, added the French midfielder. If France did not shine in attack, it can however trust the solidity of its defense, which only conceded one goal, on a penalty.

In a tournament that was not very exciting in terms of spectacle, Spain was the team that most delighted the public, with 11 goals scored in 5 matches. With its two prodigies on the wings, Lamine Yamal (16 years old) and Nico Williams (21 years old), guided by captain Alvaro Morata, Luis de la Fuente’s team made a very strong impression and can prepare with confidence for the clash against the vice-world champions.

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Spanish striker Lamine Yamal during the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany in Stuttgart on July 5, 2024 © Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

“I have 26 players who are at a high level and who are competitive for these matches. If one is absent, another will play. This group has exceptional human and footballing qualities. I know that they will not disappoint me,” assured De la Fuente, who will have to do without three starters, defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, suspended, and especially midfielder Pedri, victim of a sprained left knee and out of the rest of the Euro.

France presents itself as the antithesis of Spain. Poor in its offensive animation and in cruel lack of creativity, Didier Deschamps’ men have still not scored a single goal in the game and rely essentially on a compact and impermeable block.

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“Even if we don’t do everything perfectly, we don’t give up, and when we need to make things turn in the right direction, we have that ability. We have a solidity that is exemplary and essential in a competition. When you score few goals, it’s better not to concede any,” believes the coach. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

French striker Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Antoine Griezmann during the Euro 2024 match against Poland on June 25, 2024 in Dortmund © OZAN KOSE / AFP

Deschamps is, it is true, faced with the persistent poor form of his two technical leaders Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. The captain is a shadow of himself in this Euro and is still recovering from the after-effects of his broken nose, as well as a preparation spoiled by physical problems with his back and knee. “I am convinced that Kylian, in his head, like all the players, has been at full speed since the start,” the coach tried to reassure. “I am sure that tomorrow, like the whole group, he will do everything to be at his best.”

Will this semi-final against his future adopted country inspire the striker before joining Real Madrid? That is what the boss of the Blues hopes. The 55-year-old technician would find himself, in case of success, a 4th time in the final in the last five major tournaments, an exploit which would allow him, once again, to contest the numerous criticisms on the quality of his game.

But before thinking about fireworks on July 14 in Berlin, the French defense risks being put to the test. It will therefore take a lot of courage from the immovable quartet Jules Koundé-Dayot Upamecano-William Saliba-Theo Hernandez and goalkeeper Mike Maignan, irreproachable until now with only one goal conceded on penalty, to resist the Spanish fury.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata (left) during the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany in Stuttgart on July 5, 2024 © Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

The French demonstrated in the quarter-final against Portugal (0-0 ap 5 pens to 3) that they possess, in addition to their closed rearguard, a mental strength capable of compensating for their offensive shortcomings. The Spanish, who had suffered the law of Deschamps’ gang in the final of the League of Nations in 2021 (2-1) before lifting the trophy in 2023, will have to be wary of them.

“France are a very good team and if they reached the semi-finals, it is thanks to their own merits and without surprises. We know what their players can do. We can discuss how they got there, but to win, you also have to suffer,” said Dani Olmo, who scored a goal and provided an assist against Germany and who will have the difficult task of replacing Pedri in Munich.

With AFP

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