The reigning world champions switched up their formation in their first group game, but it didn’t pay off because they were playing at home.
After Les Bleus were taken to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Ukraine in 2022 World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, Antoine Griezmann criticised France’s tactics.
Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, went with a 4-4-2 formation instead of his normal 4-2-3-1, and the team failed to adapt.
Griezmann scored the game’s first goal with a wiggling performance in the 19th minute, but France was unable to add a killer second goal. Les Bleus were disciplined in the second half, when an own goal by Presnel Kimpembe earned Ukraine a point in their first qualifying match.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SEEMS?
In an interview with TF1, Griezmann said: “We could use a few more offensive players who can play one-on-one on the sidelines. We’ll figure out how to play in that structure and try to win again. We tried to win, but we didn’t put up a good performance. We’ll take a look at it and see what we can do to change.”
According to Deschamps: “We should have won in the first half when we had the chances. In the second half, it became more complex.
“We pressed until the finish after conceding a goal that should have been avoided. We are clearly saddened because winning would have been ideal.
“THE RESULT PROVES THAT UKRAINE IS A GOOD TEAM. WE LACKED ENERGY IN THE SECOND HALF. WE CAN DO BETTER. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A MATCH WHERE WE WERE GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF CHANCES. WE NEEDED MORE PRECISION AND MOVEMENT.”
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR FRANCE?
Following the match on Wednesday, France will face Kazakhstan on Sunday and Bosnia and Herzegovina the following Wednesday.
The games are the last opportunity for players to impress Deschamps before he announces his squad for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament this summer.
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