FAVORITES

A team victory… and a founding match?

We were about to see what we were going to see in Lombardy. The fall and decline of the French team. Or the revival of a squad deprived of its captain (Mbappé) and vice-captain (Tchouaméni). After 90 minutes of intense combat and a real soccer match, Les Bleus delivered a scathing response. Solid, authoritative, united and driven by the desire to topple an Italian side unbeaten since September, Ibrahima Konaté’s partners produced a seminal match (victory 3-1). This says nothing about what will happen in the future, but the basics are there, unchanged, signed Deschamps, namely a team block, a warrior’s state of mind and a surgical finish. We’ll have to go back to the basics when it comes to attacking leadership, the major project for 2025.

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San Siro, temple to a crazy atmosphere

If you’re a football fan, you’ve got to come to the San Siro at least once in your life. Thrills guaranteed. Whether you catch a glimpse of this majestic vessel as soon as you arrive at the stadium, or attend a match involving Italy or one of Milan’s two clubs, you’ll get your money’s worth. On Sunday evening, this impressive temple fulfilled its role perfectly in the battle between the Italians and the French. It was the scene of a wild and joyous atmosphere, with the Italian anthem taken up by 68,000 spectators in a trance, and cheers heard for much of the match despite the unfavourable scenario for the home side. At times, you could feel the stands moving as the crowd jumped up and down. Not necessarily reassuring, but certainly unique.

Digne the magician

He returned to the French national team in the middle of autumn without having taken part in the Euro, having been overtaken by Ferland Mendy, but Lucas Digne never gives up. With two assists for Rabiot and, above all, a sumptuous free-kick (awarded to goalkeeper Vicario against his own goal), the full-back couldn’t have celebrated his 50th cap any better. But let’s go back to his fabulous gesture. From 25 yards out, he and Nkunku were in a tussle for position. Koundé came up to the two men. Digne doesn’t give up. He blows. He takes off. And finds the top corner with a left-footed free-kick that Lionel Messi would not have denied. Great art.

SEE ALSO – Lucas Digne after Italy-France on Sunday (1-3): “Surely a benchmark match for us“

SCRATCH

Attacking, the big job

Three goals from set-pieces, but no clear-cut chances. Les Bleus were surgical on Sunday evening in Lombardy. To Italy’s disgust at what has been their strength for so many years. And that, it must be said, is delicious. While the French team put in a great collective performance, as mentioned above, they can only improve on their attacking play. The trio Nkunku-Thuram-Kolo Muani didn’t make enough of an impact in Italy’s last 25 yards, even if he did deserve some credit for his harassment and availability. In the end, apart from the three goals, Vicario was never called into action. Not enough. Didier Deschamps knows what he needs to work on, with Mbappé likely to return next year.

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Barcola’s catastrophic entrance

The Parisian came on 15 minutes from the end of the match to take advantage of the space left by the Italian defense, but he did everything wrong. Missed controls, poorly negotiated runs and an unwelcome lack of spirit… A real nightmareHe had the chance to make the difference three times on the halfway line in one minute, but never chose the right option. It’s never easy to appear in this type of match under extreme tension, but he could have done much better.