Apart from the qualification achieved for the quarter-finals of the Olympics, France is really the ‘big’ that has convinced the least so far. The first half suffered in the debut against Brazil, then the defeat was narrowly avoided against Japan and finally the defeat inflicted on Germany.
Despite the push from the home crowd, the French just couldn’t seem to get going, especially in the attacking half of the field. According to the veteran and leader of the national team Evan Fournier, the problems start from the game plan adopted. These are his statements:
I think we are missing the basics. We have to move on. Sometimes, I think we go in the wrong direction of how we want to play, and we pay the consequences.
These days the best defense is attack. We are no longer in the 90s or 2000s, where you could always defend in the middle of the pitch. Now the attack is important. We need balance on the pitch and play in transition. Especially when you play against teams like Germany.
Both super-high trims like Rudy Gobert e Victor Wembanyama allowed France to put up a wall in the paint, but the offensive fluidity suffered.
Coach Vincent Collet strongly attacked Fournier’s words:
Fournier’s opinion is not that of the group. This is an unacceptable statement and requires responsibility. I won’t make any further comments, but I think the group agreed on the game plan.
The hosts will face Canada in an in-or-out matchup on Tuesday.