French team: mandatory rebound against Chile

The reception of Chile in a friendly match took on more importance than expected: after the lesson learned against Germany (2-0), the French team, even if largely reworked, must win on Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) Marseille so as not to let doubt intrude.

They favor the accident theory. The “non-match from the first to the last second” (Benjamin Pavard) on Saturday for Lyon was “a day without” for Brice Samba, who should return the goals to Mike Maignan against the South Americans.

It must be said that the defeat at Groupama stadium was a task. The French, among the big favorites for the Euro, looked pale, with their total lack of pressing, especially against an opponent of this level.

“It is worth better take it now”, assures captain Kylian Mbappé, who came for the second time in a row at a pre-match press conference. “Before the Euro in 2021 we didn't take a slap, we beat everyone in the friendly matches and we took a slap in the 8th and we went home. If this match can be of use to us …”

The Blues are still obliged to dispel the ambient skepticism during this last match before the list for the Euro. A second setback in a row, which would be a first since 2015, would be extremely unfortunate as the final phase is fast approaching (June 14-July 14).

Then, there will remain two preparation meetings, June 5 in Metz and June 9 in Bordeaux, against opponents to be determined, before entering the competition, the June 17 against Austria.

Blues captain Kylian Mbappé in a conference before the match against Chile in Marseille, March 25, 2024 © AFP – FRANCK FIFE

Aurélien Tchouameni, one of the new leaders who also missed his match on Saturday, is certainly “not worried”, but he recalls that “there will be big teams at the Euro” and rightly warns: “It's certain that if we repeat this kind of match, it won't work.”

“It wasn't a good team France, admitted Benjamin Pavard for his part. It's a good reminder for the future, fortunately it was only a friendly match, fortunately we have a match which will come quickly against Chile, we will do everything to win “.

– “Getting up again” –

To complete the promised squad review, Didier Deschamps will give playing time to players who have had little or no time in Lyon, from Marseillais Jonathan Clauss to Monegasque Youssouf Fofana.

It will also be necessary to monitor the center forward position, particularly scrutinized after Marcus Thuram's missed match.

The coach of the France team Didier Deschamps in Marseille, March 25, 2024, the day before the friendly match against Chile © AFP – FRANCK FIFE

“One of my objectives is to see as many players as possible”, recalls Deschamps, even if this “leads to a slightly more random collective expression, but it was the time to do it”.

“We are upset but we will have to get up. We hope that we can make the French public happier”, Tchouameni continues.

Luckily for France, Chile is not an opponent of the caliber of Germany, host country of the next Euro.

The South American “Roja” has lost its splendor, it fell from 5th place in Fifa in 2015, at the time when it had managed to win its first two Copas America (2015 and 2016), to 42nd.

She is only 8th in the Conmebol qualifying group for the World Cup, but she won her first match against Albania (3-0) on Friday with her new coach, the Argentinian Ricardo Gareca, who has already crossed Didier Deschamps with Peru at the 2018 World Cup, for a 1-0 victory for the Blues.

Of the Chileans in Ligue 1, only Toulouse's Gabriel Suazo is operational, the Monegasque Guillermo Maripan being injured.

La “Roja” also fields two former Marseillais, Mauricio Isla (2015-2016) and especially Alexis Sanchez, whom the Vélodrome adored last season.

The record is balanced against Chile, with two victories, two defeats and a draw, during their last meeting in 2011 (1-1). But in the event of another misstep by the Blues, a state of emergency would be declared at the worst possible moment.

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