Didier Deschamps changed almost his entire squad, only renewing Paul Pogba compared to the surprising and disappointing loss to Finland. He especially reinstated the 4-4-2 flat of the world champion title which allowed the Blues to bring down Portugal in Lisbon this Saturday night.
Lloris: 7. The French captain won on a heavy strike from Cristiano Ronaldo (6th), who has still not scored against France. He was saved by his post on a header from Fonte (60th) and then himself locked the victory with a superb trigger on a strike from Moutinho which spun into the skylight (75th). Warned for saving time (62nd).
Pavard: 5. Sometimes outnumbered against Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, he did not have it easy and he sometimes seemed on the edge.
Varane: 6.5. Well in place for his 70th selection, he reassured after difficult weeks at Real Madrid and in the France team. A big fault, all the same, on Joao Felix in a dangerous zone.
Kimpembe: 7.5. The Parisian made three decisive interventions: a tackle in front of Cristiano Ronaldo (36th), a counter on a strike from Bruno Fernandes (49th) and a header just in front of CR7, again (78th). He lost two balls on overly ambitious raises.
Hernandez: 6. He takes advantage of Davies’ injury at Bayern to chain games and it shows. In great shape, he notably delivered an excellent cross to the ground for Martial, poorly concluded (12th). At the limit of the penalty on contact with Trincao (88th).
Coman: 5.5. In the legs, he created the first danger with a powerful strike (10th). He did not, however, always help Pavard to block the tumbles in the right lane. Less sharp physically then and replaced by Thuram (59th).
Kanté: 7.5. The Chelsea player scored his second goal in 44 caps. It has also increased the number of interceptions, harassment and recoveries.
VIDEO. Portugal-France (0-1): “The Blues reacted tremendously”
Pogba: 7. In difficulty against Finland, he delivered a solid performance. Very involved defensively, he did not try to overdo it, but facilitated quick transitions to the front. For the aesthetic touch, we will retain an exceptional transverse for Coman (18th) much more than his missed header at 6 m (58th).
Rabiot: 8. He is definitely walking in Blaise Matuidi’s footsteps. With the number 14 of his predecessor at PSG and Juve, the Duke for the first time occupied the role of left midfielder which was assigned to Matuidi during the last World Cup. His return to a combination could have resulted in the goal of the year (30th). In the second half, he went up a notch again, with a strike that led to Kanté’s goal then a perfect cross badly concluded by Pogba (58th).
Martial: 3. The Manchester United striker seems to have taken the lead over Olivier Giroud in the hierarchy of the Blues, but he will especially have to borrow the efficiency of his illustrious teammate. He misses four huge chances, less than 9m from the goals (12th, 30th, 41st and 55th). Replaced by Giroud (79th).
Griezmann: 7. In his preferred position as second striker, the Mâconnais suddenly regained his best form. That of happy days, where he sees everything, enjoys the inside or the outside of the foot, varies short or long play, and initiates the pressing. He gave a magnificent goal ball to Martial (12th) and launched the other biggest opportunity of the first half (41st). He was at the origin of the French goal in a second half where he lacked a little juice but played smart.
Article original de: www.leparisien.fr
