Didier Deschamps has decided "I am not going to change Kylian's position" after France fell to a 5-4 loss against Spain in the final four of the Nations League. His men fought in the final phase to close a four goal deficit on an evening where offensive efficiency made the difference. Kylian Mbappe made mistakes that tipped the balance but the belief of the manager in his ability has stayed strong.
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‘It is not at all the same match’
Even if it is a tournament that has much less prestige, the French were fighting for revenge after a 2-1 loss to La Roja in the European Championship last summer. They again ended up second best but with a much more commendable display on the offense. Apart from the four goals, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe all forced Unai Simon into action in the first half alone.
“It is not at all the same match that we had against them at the Euros. Today we merited something. It is rare against Spain to have more control of the game. We finished with many more chances and then it is about efficiency, even if we conceded goals. It is true their goalkeeper also made good saves.”
Deschamps was clear that it was not all bad on the night in Stuttgart. Indeed, for the first twenty minutes of the match, the momentum favoured Les Bleus, who built up pressure from the front.
“Not everything should be thrown away. Our first 20 minutes were very good in terms of control. We had a lot more chances than our opponent, who was much more effective in two spells of 10 minutes.”
By full time, they had generated 24 strikes to 16 from Spain and had 57% of the ball. Even for a more dynamic Spanish side, it is rare to not see them dominate possession, proving the intent of the French.
“At the start of the second half, we conceded two but despite the large score we continued on this way by creating and scoring at the end of the goals well we made them tremble a little at the end but there was little time left. I'm not going to be smiling tonight but I'm not taking away the credit we had.”
The 56-year-old had to address the defence as he backed up his players. A 5-0 defeat to England in 1969 was the last time that Les Bleus conceded five times and it is only the fourth time in their history that the country have scored three times in a loss. Against such a strong side, it would be difficult to have the same defensive discipline without Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, and William Saliba.
“I have a young team. When we concede goals, we always tend to blame the defense, but I'm not going to go there because it's a question of balance too, and then certainly in relation to the quality that is the fact we were without three of the four players who have played every match for two years.”
Even with those longer-term absences, there were more complications to creating a new back four.
“Clement Lenglet and a small personal problem, he had to make a return trip to Madrid on Tuesday, well, he wasn't in the best condition, but he was also keen to play. There are things to correct, that's for sure, but we did a lot of good things, between those who started, those who came on well, also.”
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‘I could not put them all on together’
France can field some of the best players in the world off the wings and around a striker. Deschamps spoke more about some of their displays and what they might mean for his management of the squad.
The game looks light and easy for Yamal, but one can say the same for Rayan Cherki. He came on for Michael Olise as the playmaker and pulled the strings with a goal, an assist for Randal Kolo Muani, and the pass before the cross from Malo Gusto that forced Dani Vivian to score an own goal.
His technical quality is clear. The manager made clear why his chance for Les Bleus has come now.
“He is full of quality and good intentions. What he did when he came on well for him even if there was not a victory at the end for us. He is part of his players in the offensive register, and I could not put them all together but between those who started and came on, it is very interesting for the future.”
Bradley Barcola also replaced club teammate Doue as the left winger for the final half hour. His impact will go under the radar but his frightening speed, lanky legged dribbling, and movement off the ball brought a different dynamic to the offense. The range of talent in the roster is exciting.
“Spain are full of confidence. We did not have all our strength. We were largely led in this game, but we showed good things. Against this team we have to be at the top everywhere. Despite the fact we did not have all our strength, it allowed other players to be there, and we saw some interesting things.”
So, there continue to be more questions about the longtime talisman in the team. Kylian Mbappe, once the wonder kid of world football, is 26 and wears the armband as the camp’s captain. Despite winning and scoring a penalty in the second half, he was guilty of messing up some massive moments that would include a failed breakaway at the start of the first half as Unai Simon smothered the ball.
As Dembele drove Paris Saint-Germain to the treble from the role of a more central forward, there is a clamour to create an attack that features the 28-year-old in the middle. Deschamps is not onboard.
“I don't see where you're going with Kylian being a striker. The attackers all have a lot of freedom. Ousmane is not always on the right he can also alternate so there is nothing that is fixed there is a starting position, but Kylian’s position is striker. It is true at his club Ousmane does the finishing touches, but he is a bit everywhere with a lot of freedom and he does not stay up front too much.”
Especially as an advocate of a free-moving attack, he has no intent on revising the role of Mbappe.
“We had the four attackers so there is a balance to find. I am not going to change Kylian’s position.”
