French media revealed that there was internal turmoil within the home team right around the time of attending EURO 2024.
According to L'Equipe (France), coach Didier Deschamps is facing signs of instability within the French team at EURO 2024. French players feel that coach Deschamps builds training sessions that lack intensity and that this coach shows arbitrariness with his decisions.
The blue shirt team did not start as expected at the tournament in Germany. After a minimal victory against the Austrian team in the opening match at EURO 2024, the French team had 2 consecutive draws against the Netherlands and Poland.
Coach Deschamps is known as an excellent strategist, but at the tournament in Germany, cracks appeared in the relationship between him and the players. L'Equipe confirmed that the French players are worried about recent moves by coach Deschamps, including a tense conversation with midfielder Eduardo Camavinga after the draw with Poland.
Mr. Deschamps blamed Camavinga for losing the ball many times during the match. The 21-year-old player is said to have had a fierce argument with coach Deschamps.
Striker Antoine Griezmann was also reprimanded by coach Deschamps. The Atletico Madrid player sat on the bench in the match against Poland and was only brought onto the field in the second half to replace Kante.
The 55-year-old coach was angry with Griezmann in a situation where the player appeared to be slow in putting pressure on his opponent. Mr. Deschamps said that Griezmann came on from the bench but he played without energy compared to the main players.
Coach Deschamps' decision to leave Griezmann on the bench has sparked debate in France. Some people think it was deserved, however, others believe that Mr. Deschamps was unable to help Griezmann improve his performance.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73424318/2158011121.0.jpg "France in disarray before match against Austria: Coach Deschamps argues with Real star 3")
Coach Deschamps's personnel changes also caused controversy. In the match against the Netherlands, Mr. Deschamps only had 2 personnel adjustments. He brought on Kingsley Coman and Olivier Giroud, while Bradley Barcola and Camavinga were unused.
The French players believe that their training intensity is not enough to prepare them for the EURO. As a result, after 3 matches in the group stage, the French team has not scored any goals from open play.
The continental team scored 1 goal from the penalty spot and 1 own goal. The French team also does not have the flexibility to change tactics on the field, while coach Deschamps and the players are increasingly distant.
Emmanuel Petit, a former French player, was not surprised by Deschamps' performance in Germany. "It doesn't surprise me, things like this have been happening for the last 10 years. The French team should have played much better offensively with the quality and options that Deschamps has in the squad," said Emmanuel Petit.
Coach Deschamps' secrecy in choosing personnel, along with somewhat tense conversations with the players, has evoked memories of internal conflicts in the French team more than 10 years ago.
The match against Belgium in the round of 16 of EURO 2024 is an opportunity for coach Deschamps to correct mistakes, calm the players in the locker room and dispel doubts surrounding the French team in recent times.