France’s performance in the Euro 2024 tournament has left many critics unimpressed. Despite reaching the semi-finals, they have yet to score a goal from open play, a shocking statistic given the attacking talent at their disposal. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton described their performance as “bang average” and questioned their ability to progress further in the tournament.
Manager Didier Deschamps, however, remains defiant and proud of his team’s achievements. He acknowledged that not everything has been done perfectly, but emphasized the importance of seizing the moment and making the most out of it. Deschamps believes in the team’s resilience and their ability to hang in there, even if their star players like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are not at their best.
Although France’s style of football has been criticized, with some suggesting that Deschamps could be more adventurous, the team’s defensive record has been impressive. They have conceded only one goal in seven matches, demonstrating their solidity and ability to stay in games. This defensive strength has allowed them to grind out results and reach the semi-finals.
However, as they face an in-form Spain in the next round, France will need to improve their attacking play if they want to advance further in the tournament. The link-up play between Mbappe and Griezmann has been lacking, and their performance against Portugal was described as disappointing. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand criticized France for ruining the game with their gameplan, while ex-midfielder Danny Murphy suggested that Deschamps could be more proactive.
Despite the criticism, there is growing belief within the France squad. They have shown solidarity and strength of character throughout the tournament, and their defensive solidity has been a key factor in their success so far. Ousmane Dembele, who made an inspired substitute performance against Portugal, believes that the team’s unity and resilience will carry them through to European glory.
In conclusion, France’s performance in Euro 2024 has been underwhelming, with a lack of goals from open play and criticism of their style of play. However, their defensive solidity and team spirit have been key factors in their success so far. As they face Spain in the semi-finals, they will need to improve their attacking play if they want to progress further in the tournament.