Strategies for Victory: How France’s National Team Can Win the Euros
France has established an empire within their football federation, displaying their capabilities to the entire football community. On paper, France's team is incredibly stacked and well-built, likely to impress anyone who sees it. During their 2018 World Cup campaign, the team exhibited remarkable cohesion and chemistry. The midfield trio of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, and Blaise Matuidi dominated their opponents. In the present day, France boasts another talented midfield trio consisting of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouaméni, and Warren Zaire-Emery. While they may not yet be on the same level as the 2018 squad, these young players possess immense potential. Tchouaméni and Camavinga played pivotal roles in Real Madrid's double-winning season, which included a Champions League and League title. Their talent is already evident at the club level. Additionally, Zaire-Emery had a breakout season with PSG, contributing to their League Title win and helping them reach the Champions League Semifinals with world-class performances.
Didier Deschamps faces numerous decisions regarding the team lineup. The defense is filled with world-class players who have performed exceptionally throughout the season. However, given France's formation, only four defenders can take the pitch at any one time. A key figure in this debate is William Saliba, who has struggled to secure his place in the French squad. Despite a stellar season with Arsenal in 2022, Saliba was called up for the World Cup but did not start a single match. In 2024, he remains one of the best defenders in the world, yet Deschamps seems to favor Konatė and Dayot Upamecano as the center-back duo. This decision has left many French fans puzzled, as neither Konatė nor Upamecano had a better season than Saliba. Konatė has battled injuries, and Upamecano has made several costly mistakes for Bayern, contributing to their rare trophyless season. The backline is where crucial decisions need to be made for France to ensure they arrive in Germany with their strongest lineup.
While these issues might not be as significant as those faced by other national teams, even small flaws can escalate into bigger problems. France's recent performance in the Euros has been disappointing, including a surprising loss to Switzerland in the Round of 16 in 2021. This outcome was unexpected, given the lofty expectations for the French duo of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappė. However, this duo ended up being part of the reason for France's early exit, with Mbappė missing a crucial penalty in the shootout, resulting in a 5-4 loss. Despite this setback, Kylian remains a key figure in international tournaments, already establishing himself as one of the best World Cup players of all time at such an early age. Many fans are eager to see what he can bring to France in the Euros, hoping he can lead the country to glory.
