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- 1/12
The notes of the Blues
In their 1-0 win in Ireland.
- 2/12
Mike Maignan (7,5)
Long little worried, he saved his people from a poor performance by making an XXL parade at the end of the game on an opposing header (90th). What a keeper!
- 3/12
Benjamin Pavard (6.5)
The tricolor hero of this city trip to Dublin. We felt he was determined from the start in his right lane, even if his energy expenditure notably put him at fault defensively. He sprang into the Irish camp to score from afar at the start of the second half (50th). It will do him good morally.
- 4/12
Ibrahima Konate (4)
Little worried about Ferguson in the duels, he could have weighed down his team twice, slipping (and being saved by the 61st referee) and missing his intervention in the air in front of the young center forward from Brighton (80th). It’s already too much. Not very inspired in his long game.
- 5/12
Dayot Upamecano (5,5)
More irreproachable than his friend from the central hinge, he countered a dangerous shot at the end of the match (82nd) and proved intractable thereafter.
- 6/12
Theo Hernandez (5)
He had to deal with the speed of the opposing right winger, Chiedozie Ogbene, and it was great defensive practice for him. He held on. Offensively, he did not take his lane much, a little blocked by the presence of Mbappé in front of him, and perhaps held back by the instructions.
- 7/12
Antoine Griezmann (5)
He started well by being all over the field in the offensive phase, but he tried too hard to play with Mbappé. It was clear. He failed to find his teammates in the second half. Always so generous in the defensive phase.
- 8/12
Eduardo Camavinga (6,5)
A full match from “Cama” in the position of number 6. He tried to put some rhythm into the recovery and it still changes a little for Tchouaméni and Rabiot. Defensively, he may not be as strong, but he didn’t give up.
- 9/12
Adrian Rabiot (4.5)
Always a big physical presence in the middle battle, but he disappointed in the game, being rough or imprecise. This did not allow the Blues to dominate their opponent. A nice long shot 15 minutes from the end (75th).
- 10/12
Randal – The Best Of Randal
Aligned this time on the right wing, after his great match against the Netherlands, he started strong, being incisive with the ball at his feet (and being generous defensively), but he stumbled on the Irish players and this until the end of the match. He did not conclude a counter (79th).
- 11/12
Olivier Giroud (4)
Stuck in the green block, he was very little served by his teammates, but he also missed his rare discounts.
- 12/12
Kylian Mbappe (4)
He must be more dangerous. He tried the ball at his feet, but without being very dazzling against the well-grouped Irish. He failed to hit the goal. A few good combinations in the game and that’s it.
The Blues victorious in Ireland this Monday evening (0-1), three days after having dominated the Netherlands at the Stade de France (4-0), Didier Deschamps did not hide his pleasure in front of the press.
What conclusions do you draw from this gathering?
A lot of positive, in terms of results already, with these five goals scored, none taken… (against the Netherlands and Ireland, editor’s note) The calendar was not a gift, today we were facing a team with more freshness, we were less radiant, less brilliant but we knew it would be difficult here, against an opponent who defended well. These are matches that you have to win, by the state of mind, the character, we kept this goal in advance tonight and that’s very good. It’s a group that gives off a lot of strength, I’m very happy and very proud of what we achieved against these first two opponents.
Can we talk about resilience with regard to Benjamin Pavard?
We are not going to repeat the history, he had a complicated first match in the World Cup and Jules Koundé took over… He was the starter in previous years but Jules took the place. However, Benjamin was not dismissed; compared to what he does in his club, to his experience, I am happy for him. Despite his personal disappointment, he always kept the right spirit for the group. I didn’t make him play tonight for him to score but so much the better for him. No one is left out, all players can have tough times at some point.
What is your assessment of the performances of Randal Kolo Muani, first in the axis then on the side?
It’s positive for him, we were in a different configuration today with few spaces, but he gives solutions, with a lot of travel. He is in the continuity of what he does with us and his club. He is above all an axial striker but he does not mind playing on the side. He obviously takes up space by what he has achieved in these two matches.
Are you surprised by the parade performed by Mike Maignan at the end of the match? Would you call it exceptional?
Yes, I agree with this term exceptional, but I am not surprised, no. I know what he is capable of doing, he has already been decisive with us, he has all the qualities and stature required for this position, he has the mind too, he is a leader. There was already this penalty against the Netherlands but there, there would have been more consequences if we had taken this goal at the end of the match.
Summoned as a defender, Eduardo Camavinga finally played in midfield during this rally…
One does not prevent the other. He is above all a midfielder, but he has the ability to be good on the left too, with guarantees. Tonight, I wanted to have this technical quality in the middle to get the team to play. There remains a good solution on the left. The game he had today is going in the right direction.
The Kylian Mbappé-Théo Hernandez tandem had more difficulty today…
The relationship between them exists, and it is very good, technically in particular. The opponent defended well tonight, each game has its truth.
How did you find Olivier Giroud?
It was not an easy game for him. With these large Irish jigs, we lacked a bit of mobility; there have been a few crosses but by their profile, with these three centre-backs, that’s all they like. It limited his influence in the attacking game.
