League of Nations / Croatia – France / Even Konaté has a shot to play: the defense of the Blues is such a building site… – Eurosport FR

The news fell on Saturday without surprise. The Blues will have to compose without Raphaël Varane to try to bounce back in Croatia after the setback suffered Friday against Denmark (1-2). The Manchester United defender’s package is a blow for the Habs. Without him, the rearguard of the Blues, not necessarily reassuring before, ended up paying for his mistakes against the Danes. The finding is recurring. This sector is showing a performance unworthy of a world champion, and is causing concern before Monday’s meeting in Croatia.Nations LeagueTen new starters against Croatia: Deschamps changes almost everything12 MINUTES AGOWhere it will take do without the reference of the defensive axis of the Blues, the one who formed such a solid hinge with Samuel Umtiti four years ago in Russia. However, Varane remains essential even if it no longer offers exactly the same guarantees of reliability. How to explain the phenomenon? The question of the system can legitimately arise. That of the men around him too. Despite the undeniable quality of the individuals at the disposal of Didier Deschamps, no one has been able to establish themselves as an indisputable element behind. of his generation. He broke through with the Blues during the last League of Nations in this position on the right side in a three-man defense, normally cut out for his qualities. But above all, we found that he still had faults against Denmark. What also weighs on him is the lack of reserve at the right piston position in the France team. This felt against the Danes where he was associated on his flank with Kingsley Coman, naturally turned towards the attack. He struggled to compensate for the omissions of the Munich player and his level of performance suffered. It’s not just his doing. But it is a parameter that he must have in mind, because a possible change in the system would threaten his current status as holder. of the world champion defense but in a different configuration since the Blues played four behind. Playing in a three-man defense doesn’t particularly affect his performance, but he’s far from his best against Denmark. Little helped by his brother Theo, holder in left piston and badly placed on the two Danish goals, Lucas Hernandez was also guilty of approximations detrimental to the defense of the Blues. He often manages to compensate for certain shortcomings with this angry side that he displayed less against the Danes. Given his status, he must take on more responsibilities and know how to assume them. Especially in the absence of Varane. Kimpembe – Pavard: reservists under glass ceiling The Parisian was in the group of world champions in Russia and then seemed to have to increase in power, in club as in selection. In both cases, he has come up against a glass ceiling so far, for somewhat the same reasons: recurring errors that considerably hamper his performance. This was particularly seen during the Euro, where he failed to seize the chance offered to him to establish himself as an indisputable holder in an international tournament. The contrast with Samuel Umtiti’s performance at the 2018 World Cup was striking. Since then, he has demoted in the hierarchy of tricolor defenders. Without it appearing as a real injustice. As it is, it’s complicated to see him take on a role other than that of reservist. Should we already be considering an eleven without Griezmann? He was one of the heroes of the World Cup with his fabulous goal against Argentina and seemed set to last as the starting right-back of the Blues. But that time seems a long way off today. The Munich resident had a very complicated Euro and a League of Nations that was hardly more convincing. Regularly criticized, he was unable to relaunch with the change of system which could however highlight his qualities. Whether on the right side of the defensive trio, his preferred position, or right piston, given the low competition to play this role. There remains a framework of the tricolor group. But his performance has been insufficient for too long with the Blues to aspire to titular status. Saliba – Konaté: novices to develop The former Stéphanois is promising, like a successful season in Marseille where he largely contributed to bringing OM in the Champions League. But he is still a little tender for the international level, as evidenced by his lack of aggressiveness on the second Danish goal against the Blues on Friday. It’s not illogical for a 21-year-old who has never played in a Champions League game. He could become a reliable defender for the France team in the future. That’s what his talent calls for. But for the present and the short-term future, the World Cup is still a bit tight. It was expected in the list for the month of June. Not summoned at the start, Konaté was finally called on Saturday after the announcement of Raphaël Varane’s package. A just reward for a player who had a promising first season at Liverpool, where he gradually established himself as a starter in the Reds hinge alongside Virgil van Dijk. It’s hard to imagine in the shoes of a holder a player who has just landed in the tricolor group. But beyond his talent, it is above all the permanent site in the tricolor defense that can allow him to do well. Stephan: “We lacked physical freshness at times”Nations LeagueBen Yedder, doubts ( and the shadow Giroud) to hunt20 HOURS AGONations League “I’m not going to judge Antoine or another player on a single match”: Deschamps defends his playersA DAY AGO