The French football team lost (0-2) on Saturday March 23 against Germany in a friendly match, three months before the start of Euro 2024. Surprised twice at the start of each period , the Blues were dominated in a meeting largely controlled by the Mannschaft.
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Seven seconds! That’s how long it took the Germans to catch the French team cold on Saturday in Lyon and open the score. Receiving a pass from the returning Toni Kroos, Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz beat Brice Samba by sending a superb strike under the crossbar. Cold shower at Groupama stadium!
Almost identical scenario at the start of the second half, even if Didier Deschamps’ players “held on” four minutes after returning from the locker room. This time, it’s Havertz who doubles the score following good work from Jamal Musiala (49th).
“ Wakeup call “
Didier Deschamps had to curse once again at the apathy of his players who were unable to get into their match at the start of each period. But the coach of the France team must be even more disappointed after the overall performance of his team. The Blues, with Kylian Mbappé, but without Antoine Griezmann, showed a worrying face a few weeks before the start of the Euro. Dominated in all areas of the game, unable to respond to the all-terrain pressing of Nagelsmann’s men, the Blues could even have suffered a heavier defeat without the numerous saves from Brice Samba, the only Blue satisfaction. And for the first time in 14 games, the attack scored no goals.
“ We were upgraded in all areas of the game. It’s a reminder », reacted midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni
Among the big favorites for the next Euro which takes place in Germany, France did not show much in this meeting to reassure itself and make itself feared by the other teams.
Germany, for its part, seems to be on the right track after years of disillusionment, eliminations in the first round of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, exit in the round of 16 of Euro 2020. With Julian Nagelsmann, arriving in September 2023, Mannschaft is regaining color and can attack its Euro with confidence.
The French team lost for the second time since the 2022 World Cup final. The first was already against… Germany.
🇩🇪 Florian Wirtz becomes the 3rd player to score in the 1st minute of play against France 🇫🇷 after Wim Roetert with the Netherlands on April 2, 1923 and Bryan Robson with England on June 16, 1982. #FRAALL
— Stats Football (@Statsdufoot) March 23, 2024