but what happened in March?

Hangover for all French people. The Blues, defending European vice-champions and World champions, were taken out this Monday evening by Switzerland at the stage of the round of 16 (3-3, 5 tab to 4). An immense disappointment and the days to come will be those of the analysis of this terrible failure and especially the trial of some such as Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé in particular.

So, of course, we explained the reasons for this failure, but we may have to come back a little before the preparation to try to understand how we got there. You did not miss it, Didier Deschamps announced the return of Karim Benzema, almost six years after his last selection, when he named his list of 26 for the competition.

A list in question

An astonishing change of tack, which is obviously explained by the quality of the Real Madrid player. But that’s not all that has changed. He notably exiled Antoine Griezmann on the right side and above all changed the system on numerous occasions. Some would say it was because he had many injuries, others because his list was unbalanced.

To be honest, we didn’t recognize the usual Didier Deschamps, as if he lacked authority. If there’s a turning point, it’s probably during the March rally. He notably recalled Karim Benzema because, beyond the fact that the player is exceptional, he felt that his offensives were short of breath and that Olivier Giroud, indisputable holder in Russia, did not play enough at Chelsea.

The turning point of March

Three games took place in March, and that’s when, most likely, the doubt crept in. For this first match, the Blues welcome Ukraine. They do not do better than a 1-1 with yet possession of the ball largely to their advantage and 18 shots (for only one on target). For the second meeting, Kylian Mbappé is on the bench and the Habs won 2-0 in Kazakhstan, largely dominating the debates. Finally, for the third meeting against Bosnia, the Blues were not more realistic (13 shots, 2 on target), but won 1-0 thanks to Antoine Griezmann (60th).

What could have been going on in Deschamps’ mind so that four offensive elements go without in these matches to a 4-3-3 finally can be used since he is in place at the head bruises ? The lack of efficiency in the face of low blocks? Olivier Giroud’s little playing time, the unstable physique of Coman and Dembélé and Mbappé’s dantesque season in terms of matches?

Certainties that exploded in flight

Honestly, we do not really understand this deep questioning of the coach. So, of course, not all the matches were finished in the game, which he was criticized for, but the victories were there and certain mishaps exist. Why change a formula that has worked well so far?

It probably wasn’t just to incorporate Karim Benzema, who has done a lot of the work on the competition, into this team. Doubts have arisen without knowing exactly which ones and especially without being able to really explain them with the previous results of the Blues. The trompe-l’oeil had worked, however.

Against Germany, during the first meeting, the Blues were more than level and we wondered who was going to be able to prevent them from making the double World Cup-Euro. But faced with weaker teams, often leaving possession, the offensive animation of the Blues was failing. So, of course, it was not exceptional before, but at least Deschamps was certain. Certainties that visibly exploded in March, without warning …