Euro 2024 France Vs Austria: May The Defence Save France, Not Kylian Mbappe (Image: x.com/EURO2024)
As France met Austria at Dusseldorf on Monday during the Euro 2024 group D match, one thing was clear that one department that can save Les Bleus is their defence. Packed with world class talents like Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba and Theo Hernandez, France avoided major embarrassment in their opening match as Ralf Rangnick’s men in red unleashed mayhem against the 2000 champions.
Then, there will be obvious questions on what happened with the pricey attacking led by captain and the best in the world currently Kylian Mbappe. He had decent company of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram, however, the offensive prowess of the FIFA World Cup runner ups was reduced to some high balls and occasional run ins to the Austrian territory.
Ralf Rangnick confidence that his team is arriving after a lot of preparation and sure of winning the match was almost true to its real sense as Australia outplayed the French in all the possible way. The only aberration came in the form of a self goal scored by Wober at the 38th minute. For this, the performance of Mbappe needs to be appreciated. He created an opening with his dancing feet to trap the Austrians with a powerful shot into Wober’s head.
There were some moments those proved how lethal the French attacks can be if the opposition opens their spaces to Didier Deschamps’ men. At some points, they were quick, including when Mbappe missed a open and free chance in front of the goal. Deschamps’ decision to call up Kante to the national team after a two year’s hiatus was proved right with the Al Ettihad player showed his old charm to deny Austria many chances.
Austria is really a threat to the other group members and also to other major teams if they are able to progress. Ralf Rangnick has made the old horse into a consistent, organised and threatening team. Austria’s pressing game was a joy to watch and troubled the famed defence of France many times.
