The victory against Chile (3-2) does not make us forget the disappointment against Germany (2-0), but the French team reacted on Tuesday é agrave; Marseille, for its last friendly match before turning to Euro-2024. Everything was not perfect, with yet another missed start costing a goal from Marcelino Nuñez (6), an ordinary match from Kylian Mbappé, whistled by part of the Vélodrome, and new fears in defense . But the Blues scored nice goals by Youssouf Fofana (19), Randal Kolo Muani (25) and Olivier Giroud (73), his 57th in selection, and made a more convincing copy than against Germany on Saturday. It wasn't difficult. It's an “important victory because we took a little slap against Germany”, for defender Ibrahima Konaté. “We had to finish in style, even if there was waste, we keep the positive and the victory.” Didier Deschamps' men complete their month of March on a victory, before the list for the Euro, revealed in mid-May. Most of the 23 players are known, but some have scored points in Marseille, starting with the first two scorers. Youssouf Fofana equalized with a shot wrapped from the left, on a ball shifted by Mbappé, his only shot brilliance of a dull performance. – Excellent Kolo Muani – The Monegasque scored his third goal in 17 caps, goals scored in his last four matches, a sign of his rise in power. He had already made people appreciate his powerful shot to equalize in Greece (2-2), this time from the right. Kolo Muani also scored in Athens, where he had opened the scoring, and he scored his third goal for Blue in 15 selections with a masterful header, jumping well above the Chilean hinge, on a good cross from Théo Hernandez. “Ah, you don't like Kolo, you are too harsh with him”, lamented Deschamps in November. Randal Kolo Muani scores the 2nd goal for the Blues against Chile in a friendly match at the Vélodrome stadium, March 26, 2024 © AFP – CHRISTOPHE SIMON Excellent, RKM had his best game in Blue. He had already initiated the action of the first goal, offered the third to Giroud and was a constant poison for the South American defense, who made numerous mistakes to stop him. But the defense conceded two goals for the third time in a row. To the bad news, we can add the two players out due to injury in the first period, Jonathan Clauss and Eduardo Camavinga. – Two more goals conceded – The first who had a chance to defend his candidacy for the starting right-back position at home, only played ten minutes, before leaving injured behind the left thigh. He left his place to his competitor, Jules Koundé (11), hardly more incisive than at Décines. The exit de Clauss is a hard blow for Olympique de Marseille, already decimated before the clasico against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. Chilean midfielder Marcelino Nunez delighted to open the scoring against the France team in Marseille, March 26, 2024 © AFP – CHRISTOPHE SIMON Camavinga's left ankle turned in a tackle from Mauricio Isla, Marseillais in 2015-2016. The Madrilenian was replaced by another former OM player, Mattéo Guendouzi (44), given a standing ovation by the Vélodrome. The stadium also welcomed a dribble from Alexis Sanchez (5) who wore the colors of OM last season. Just after, the Blues were too passive, letting Mauricio Isla cross for Nuñez and opening of the score. Against the Mannschaft, they conceded the first goal after seven seconds, this time they held out for a little more than five minutes… But the French, their second jersey, white with thin blue stripes, regained control of the match and overturned the score. La “Roja” contested until the end, notably with a shot from Eduardo Vargas on the post (50) and a goal from Dario Osorio (82) on a poor return from the French defense. Certainly, Chile does not is not an opponent of the caliber of Germany, but this victory, with its drawbacks, is good for morale before plunging towards the Euro in a little over two months. “To perform well in June, we will have to do a lot more,” concluded Deschamps. All rights of reproduction and representation reserved. © (2024) Agence France-Presse
By Teilor Stone
Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116