It’s by no means straightforward for any group in any competitors to lose a remaining. The sensation of coming so shut solely to be left so far-off ultimately is definitely irritating, even for many who had gained the earlier version of the competitors. The larger stage the larger the ache of it, and there’s no greater stage than the World Cup.
France had been very spectacular all through the event in Qatar, regardless of lacking some key gamers. Paul Pogba, who performed a serious half in France’s World Cup triumph in 2018, is but to play in any respect this season, and Karim Benzema picked up an damage earlier than the beginning, having simply gained the Ballon d’Or. Left-back Lucas Hernandez was compelled to drop out after solely 12 minutes of the opening match.
Didier Deschamps made the proper combination and set the proper mixture once more, arranging his males largely in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Hernandez’s departure glossed over by his brother Theo, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde on the proper, and the trio of Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate alternating within the two centre-back roles. Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot had been the double-pivot in midfield, with Antoine Griezmann very efficient within the No. 10 place, supporting striker Olivier Giroud along with Kylian Mbappe on the left and Ousmane Dembele on the proper. Captained by Hugo Lloris from between the posts, this has actually been a formidable lineup.
Wanting into the long run, this World Cup was absolutely the final, probably the final main event in any respect, for Lloris, 35, Giroud, 36, and Benzema, 34. It stays to be seen if Griezmann is named up in 2026, when he’ll have turned 35 himself. Pogba turns 33 that yr, and if his health document doesn’t enhance earlier than then, the hope of him having the ability to make a contribution will fade as nicely.
For these gamers, this second in time might seem to be the tip of an period, however France needn’t fear about what lies forward. There’s loads of youth of their ranks.
For one, they’ll nonetheless be led by the sensible Kylian Mbappe, who smashed three objectives previous the insolent Emiliano Martinez in that remaining heartbreak. The PSG man has simply turned 24, Dembele is 25, as is Marcus Thuram, and Randal Kolo Muani, who made a number of shiny cameos, is 24.
Tchouameni has been a Actual Madrid participant solely a few months and on the age of twenty-two, he’s already proven that the Spanish giants made no mistake once they selected to half with €80 million to deliver him in. The identical goes for 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, already a La Liga champion and a Champions League winner.
On the again, Varane remains to be solely 29, regardless of additionally being a seasoned winner on the highest stage; Upamecano is 24 and taking part in for Bayern Munich, Konate is a shiny prospect for Liverpool at 22. Theo is 25, Kounde 24.
One would count on a high goalkeeper like Lloris may be very exhausting to exchange, however France have already got ready-made star in AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, 27, one other one who missed this event via damage.
For all these gamers, this misplaced remaining will in all probability function a robust studying curve, a painful however invaluable expertise, a reminder that nothing lower than 100% from the primary whistle on the opening day to the final one of many remaining brings an opportunity of successful the World Cup.
However simply as another group after such an excruciating ache, step one in the direction of getting over it’s to look to the following problem and deal with it as exhausting as attainable. For France, will probably be the qualifying marketing campaign for the Euro 2024, they usually actually gained’t have the luxurious of letting their minds dwell on Qatar. Anticipated to combat to the final spherical for the highest spot in Group B in opposition to Netherlands, they may even face the Republic of Eire, Greece and Gibraltar.
However even earlier than these {qualifications} begin, France must type out the scenario with Deschamps’ contract, which expires on the finish of this month. FFF chief Noel Le Graet lately revealed plans for talks on the topic to be held subsequent week and expressed the hope that the 54-year-old tactician, a World Cup winner each as a participant and a supervisor, will stay answerable for the group for the foreseeable future.