France's world cup qualification was a resounding success, with a convincing 4-0 win over Ukraine in Paris. However, the real test lies ahead as Les Bleus head to the World Cup, and manager Didier Deschamps' final outing has left some questions unanswered about the team's attacking prowess.
Deschamps acknowledged that his side was "a bit shy" in the first half against Ukraine, with a disjointed performance that lacked cohesion. The problem persists when it comes to creating scoring opportunities, with the attack looking far from convincing. Olivier Giroud, who previously played such a key role for France, has been replaced by Kylian Mbappé, who now seems to be carrying the load on his own.
Mbappé's form is undeniable, but his supporting cast still needs to come together seamlessly. The likes of Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitiké showed flashes of promise in the second half, but Cherki's contribution was limited despite having more possession than most players on the pitch.
The question remains as to whether France can build a cohesive unit around their captain, who is now being relied upon to carry the team to success. Deschamps' decision to trust his instincts and go with a new generation has yielded mixed results so far. The fact that players like N'Golo Kanté, Kingsley Coman, and Florian Thauvin have made a comeback to the fold raises questions about the manager's selection process.
As Deschamps prepares for his final World Cup, he must acknowledge that there is an experience deficit in the team. His decision to implement a strategy of "oxygenation" may yet prove crucial in revitalizing a team that has been struggling to find its footing. The World Cup will be the ultimate test of this approach, and if France can harness the talent of players like Ekitiké, they might just have a chance to overcome their attacking woes.
Ultimately, Deschamps' legacy hangs in the balance, and the outcome of the World Cup will determine whether he is remembered as one of the greatest managers in French football history.
Deschamps acknowledged that his side was "a bit shy" in the first half against Ukraine, with a disjointed performance that lacked cohesion. The problem persists when it comes to creating scoring opportunities, with the attack looking far from convincing. Olivier Giroud, who previously played such a key role for France, has been replaced by Kylian Mbappé, who now seems to be carrying the load on his own.
Mbappé's form is undeniable, but his supporting cast still needs to come together seamlessly. The likes of Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitiké showed flashes of promise in the second half, but Cherki's contribution was limited despite having more possession than most players on the pitch.
The question remains as to whether France can build a cohesive unit around their captain, who is now being relied upon to carry the team to success. Deschamps' decision to trust his instincts and go with a new generation has yielded mixed results so far. The fact that players like N'Golo Kanté, Kingsley Coman, and Florian Thauvin have made a comeback to the fold raises questions about the manager's selection process.
As Deschamps prepares for his final World Cup, he must acknowledge that there is an experience deficit in the team. His decision to implement a strategy of "oxygenation" may yet prove crucial in revitalizing a team that has been struggling to find its footing. The World Cup will be the ultimate test of this approach, and if France can harness the talent of players like Ekitiké, they might just have a chance to overcome their attacking woes.
Ultimately, Deschamps' legacy hangs in the balance, and the outcome of the World Cup will determine whether he is remembered as one of the greatest managers in French football history.
... france has a talented squad but they need more depth than that. we can't just rely on one player's magic to take us all the way 
. plus, i feel like deschamps needs to take responsibility for his selection process - those players coman and thauvin have made big comebacks for a reason, it's about time they got more playing time 
!
. I think they need to revamp their tactics to bring out the best in all players, not just Mbappé 
. Ekitiké and Olise showed promise, but Cherki's lack of contribution was puzzling 
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. Perhaps using 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations could create more scoring opportunities 
. The "oxygenation" strategy might just be the key 
, but Deschamps needs to fine-tune it.
Can France overcome their attacking woes and trust in their new generation? Only time will tell 
! 
. I think Mbappé is an amazing player, but he can't carry the whole team on his back 
. They need to find a better balance and get other players involved in the attack 
️. It's also concerning that some of their younger players are being relied upon so much 
. The experience deficit could be a major issue if they don't figure it out soon 
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Deschamps, but he needs to make some adjustments ASAP 
. Can France get it together in time for the World Cup? 
I mean, Didier Deschamps has made some great moves but he needs to get his team more cohesive ASAP 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole World Cup thing. Like, isn't it already over or something? 
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️. Bring on the World Cup, I guess! 
France's attack needs a major revamp, and it can't just rely on Mbappé alone 
! Deschamps' instincts might not be enough... yet 
. Olivier Giroud's departure has left a gaping hole, and I'm not sure if Kylian Mbappé can single-handedly carry the team to victory 
I'm all for innovation, but World Cup success shouldn't be this unpredictable 
. Can we please just have some clarity on Deschamps' plan and if France can actually deliver 
?!
But can he carry his teammates on his back all the way to the World Cup final? It's gonna be tough, and Deschamps needs to figure out how to balance experience with youth 
. The fact that players like N'Golo Kanté are making a comeback raises questions about the manager's decisions... was it just timing or something more? 
They totally smashed Ukraine 4-0 
. The thing is, Olivier Giroud was so clutch for them in the past but Kylian Mbappé is literally on fire right now 
Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitiké are going to come through big time, just you wait! 
They're just not clicking like they used to! Deschamps' "oxygenation" strategy is supposed to be this magic solution but honestly it just sounds like a fancy way of saying he's trying to fix things without actually fixing them 
. I mean don't get me wrong Mbappé is a genius on the pitch but his supporting cast is still super weak 
. And can we talk about how much more experience they need?! It's like they're just throwing kids out there and expecting them to perform miracles 
. Deschamps' legacy is literally hanging in the balance right now and I'm not feeling confident that France has what it takes to go all the way 
deschamps' decision to go with a new generation is yielding mixed results atm and i'm not sure if his strategy of "oxygenation" is gonna be enough to save france from themselves