With the 2024 European Championship looming, Leisu Sports will successively present a profile of each of the 24 teams participating. Today’s focus is on the tournament favorites and the so-called “Les Bleus,” France.
Overview of the French Team: Talented Squad Aims for Nothing but the Title
France is a traditional powerhouse in European and world football, having won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2018, as well as the UEFA European Championship in 1984 and 2000. In 2016, they reached the final of the Euros hosted on home soil but lost to Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal. In the 2022 World Cup, France, as defending champions, made it to the final only to be defeated by Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a penalty shootout, finishing as runners-up again.
Boasting a squad with a valuation exceeding 1 billion, France is one of the few national teams with such financial muscle. In the qualifiers, they were in a group with the Netherlands, Greece, Ireland, and Gibraltar, securing 7 wins and 1 draw to top their group and qualify for the main event.
Despite having stars like Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong, the Netherlands couldn’t challenge France’s dominant squad. With a mix of experienced players like Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, who excel in supporting roles, and superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele at their peak, France has a well-balanced team.
Mbappe, despite failing to lead Paris Saint-Germain to the elusive UEFA Champions League title, scored over 40 goals this season, setting a new personal record. It must be noted that France’s squad is formidable on paper, but their early exit from the previous Euros led to criticism of Didier Deschamps’ relatively conservative approach. Since winning the 2018 World Cup, there has been no significant tactical innovation, and the reliance on counter-attacking football has also drawn critique. However, with their current strength, the championship is the only target.
Coach and Squad Overview: Core Structure Remains Stable, Can Deschamps Achieve a Grand Slam?
Didier Deschamps has been in charge of the French national team since July 8, 2012. As a former captain who led the team to World Cup and Euro victories, his pragmatic and tenacious style quickly revived the team and took them to new heights.
A former midfielder known for his resilience, Deschamps’ France has always adhered to a defensive counter-attacking style. While this approach might be less exciting, its effectiveness is evident from reaching the final in both recent World Cups, resulting in one victory and one runner-up finish.
France has a wealth of talent, but its spine is relatively stable. Up front, the ever-reliable Giroud, despite being 37 years old, remains a key figure. The all-time leading scorer for the French national team, Giroud’s modest and practical attitude aligns perfectly with Deschamps’ philosophy. Despite his age, his hold-up play is irreplaceable. In this season’s Serie A, he scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists in 32 appearances, topping AC Milan’s scoring charts. In the qualifiers, he contributed 3 goals and 1 assist in 8 matches.
Mbappe’s individual prowess is undeniable, with his pace, dribbling, and increasingly accurate shooting making him the most valuable player (180 million) in the world. Despite transfer speculation, the forward managed over 40 goals and 10 assists in limited playing time. Following a disappointing Champions League campaign, Mbappe, eyeing the Ballon d’Or, will undoubtedly strive for excellence in the Euros.
In midfield, Antoine Griezmann holds great importance. The 33-year-old Atletico Madrid star had an impressive season with 21 goals and 8 assists in 44 games. Although his stats in the qualifiers were modest, his distribution, organization, and defensive coverage are crucial to France’s success.
Other key figures include Adrien Rabiot, the versatile Juventus midfielder, and the Real Madrid duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, both versatile and capable of playing multiple positions. Tchouameni, in particular, was developed into a central defender due to Madrid’s injury crisis, while Camavinga, at just 21, has shown maturity beyond his years and could be a game-changer with his ball progression.
At only 18, Zaire Emery is a gem in France’s squad. Despite fierce competition at Paris Saint-Germain, he has earned the trust of manager Christophe Galtier. His physicality, mature playing style, and aggressive approach could earn him a place in the Euros squad.
The French defense boasts a wealth of options, including Benjamin Pavard, who rediscovered form at Inter Milan, Theo Hernandez, whose pace complements Mbappe on the left, and versatile defender Jules Kounde. Young center-backs William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate have established themselves at Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, ensuring reliability at the back. Even with Lucas Hernandez’s season-ending ACL injury, France has depth in defense.
With such a roster, Deschamps cannot afford to be understated. Can he guide Les Bleus to a second Euro title in 24 years and join the elite club of coaches with World Cup and Euro triumphs, completing a national team coaching grand slam?
Historical Euro Performance:
As a football powerhouse, France has a storied history in the Euros, winning twice in 1984 and 2000, trailing only Spain and Germany in titles.
In the 1964 Euros, France made their debut and reached the semi-finals, losing 4-5 to Yugoslavia.
In 1984, under Michel Platini’s leadership, France defeated Portugal 3-2 in the semis and claimed their first title with a 2-0 win over Spain.
At the 2000 Euros, fresh from their World Cup victory, France advanced through the group stage with two wins and one loss, defeating Spain 2-1 in the quarters. They won the semis against Portugal via a golden goal and then overturned a 1-0 deficit in the final, winning 2-1 after extra time against Italy.
In the 2016 Euros, as hosts, France reached the final, defeating Ireland and Iceland, before losing 1-0 to Portugal in the final.
At the 2020 Euros, France progressed from a difficult group but was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Switzerland in a penalty shootout.
Outlook for the Euros:
In Group D, France will face Poland, the Netherlands, and Austria. Given their squad, advancing to the knockout stages should be a minimum requirement