France goals to shake off World Cup holders’ curse of complacency

On July 15 2018, France had simply gained the soccer World Cup in Moscow, and Russian president Vladimir Putin and Fifa president Gianni Infantino have been fraternally taking turns at hand out the medals.

French president Emmanuel Macron, his swimsuit soaked after a rainstorm when Putin was briefly the one dignitary outfitted with an umbrella, buzzed round hugging every French participant like a brother even kissing Kylian Mbappé on the brow.

France coach Didier Deschamps had simply begun his characteristically understated press convention when a dozen gamers burst into the room, chanting his title and spraying journalists with what gave the impression to be vitality drinks and champagne.

The gamers danced, sang, disappeared, then returned and did it once more. Simply earlier than they lastly left, their unofficial chief, Paul Pogba, shouted, “Vive la France! Vive la république!”

Oh glad days. Now the French are getting ready to defend their World Cup in a special world. Putin is not going to be handing out the medals in Qatar, and Pogba is not going to be receiving one: he and fellow midfielder N’Golo Kanté will miss the match by way of damage.

Deschamps stays France’s coach, however is now saddled with the winner’s curse: 4 of the previous 5 world champions have been knocked out of the next match within the first spherical, together with France in 2002. How can Les Bleus, with only one win of their previous six matches, keep away from that destiny?

The French have performed three of the previous six World Cup finals, successful two, however are locked in a cycle between triumph and complacency. After they win, they get slack: 1998 was adopted by 2002, and after 2006 got here 2010, the French “annus horribilis” wherein the staff stank out the World Cup whereas additionally staging an unforgettable mid-tournament strike.

This time, the world champions might already have their complacency out of their system. On the delayed Euro 2020 final 12 months, they have been main Switzerland 3-1 with 10 minutes left once they stopped working or concentrating. After conceding two late objectives, they have been knocked out on penalties.

It might be a blessing if accidents drive them to resume in Qatar. Past the lack of Pogba and Kanté, mainstays Karim Benzema, Raphaël Varane, Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe might wrestle for health. If that reduces French high quality, it also needs to restrict complacency.

The French should not beginning the match with the arrogance of world champions. Their three defeats in 2022 thus far are already their joint worst for a calendar 12 months. Two of these have been towards Denmark, who await them once more within the group, alongside the extra digestible Australia and Tunisia.

France’s greatest fear is in the course of the park: not one midfielder from 2018 is coming to Qatar. The three-man midfield will likely be constructed round Aurélien Tchouaméni, 22, now established as a starter for each France and his membership facet Actual Madrid.

A playmaker who can even defend — and who, within the French phrase, is “constructed like a removals man” — he seems to have all of it. Juventus’s Adrien Rabiot ought to accompany him, together with presumably Youssouf Fofana, who debuted for France simply two months in the past, although the hardworking Antoine Griezmann would possibly drop again from the ahead line into midfield.

On the again, accidents allowing, the 2018 staff is nearly intact. Hugo Lloris is taking part in his fourth World Cup in purpose, whereas Varane, Hernandez and right-back Benjamin Pavard all began in Russia. Both Hernandez or his youthful brother Theo may begin at left-back, although Lucas might as a substitute accompany Varane in central defence.

Up entrance, no staff has extra riches: Griezmann, Mbappé and Benzema, backed up by Olivier Giroud, 36, who wants simply two objectives to equal Thierry Henry’s report of 51 for France.

If wingers are required, France have Kingsley Coman and Ousmane Dembelé, who’s lastly starting to appear like the star Barcelona thought he was once they paid Borussia Dortmund €140mn for him in 2017.

France’s probably beginning staff contains six world champions in addition to the winner of the Ballon d’Or for the world’s finest participant in Benzema. And the French system continues to provide sufficient expertise to employees a number of nationwide groups: a number of gamers representing African nations, together with Tunisia and Cameroon, grew up within the suburbs of French cities.

Deschamps, in the meantime, will likely be sniffing out complacency day by day. After a decade as sélectionneur, he stays beloved in France: the captain who lifted the World Cup in 1998 but nonetheless contrives to appear like a gnomish village café proprietor from his native south-west. “DD” has the standing to drop any star who is just not shaping up.

At finest, France might be the proper mixture at this World Cup: humbled world champions with a splash of youth. At worst, it’s 2002 another time.