How smart trumped the beautiful France coach urges players to make up for Euro defeat on Sunday
TACTFUL Deschamps’ France stayed patient, targeted Dembele and quelled Belgium’s attacking brilliance in semis
gium’s flow.
And then, early in the second half came the sucker punch! The first goal was always going to be important in a game like this.
Despite all their attacking riches, it took a centre-back’s header from a set-piece, like in the quarter-final to hand France the lead. Raphael Varane had done the job against Uruguay; Samuel Umtiti scored from a corner this time.
It was an underwhelming performance but enough to get France over the finishing line. But as much as the game was about Deschamps’ calculated approach, it also laid bare Martinez’s failings with Belgium.
Against Brazil, he had changed the set-up and taken a gamble that had the potential to go wrong. On Tuesday, he responded to the suspension of Thomas Meunier by bringing in Dembele. The formation he used looked fluid in the opening exchanges but lacked enough penetration to cut open the French defence.
In spite of Courtois’ ‘anti-football’ rant, the French side, with its supposedly conservative approach, conjured 19 attempts on goal, five on target, as opposed to Belgium’s nine, three on target. Deschamps’ side managed this with a little over one-third of possession. “We had the ball and I think we have to give a lot of credit to France for the way they defended. They were deep; they gave us respect in that way and yet we couldn’t find a bit of margin in front of goal, a little bit of luck,” said Martinez.
Yet, more than luck, it was France’s ability to wait and pounce on mistakes that proved to be the difference. An adventurous brand of football can get a team far at a major tournament – Joachim Loew’s Germany reached the semis in 2010 with a style of play that earned admiration – but to become world champions, smart is more likely to trump the beautiful. SAINT PETERSBURG: France coach Didier Deschamps urged his side to seize their chance of redemption in the World Cup final after admitting he has still not got over the pain of defeat in the Euro 2016 final. “Finals have to be won because we have still not got over the one we lost two years ago,” said Deschamps. “It was exceptional. I’m very happy for my players, we showed character and the right mentality, it was very hard for us tonight.
“We worked hard defensively. We had to take advantage a bit more in the counter-attacks. But congratulations to my players and my staff. I feel very proud for my group,” said Deschamps, who is aiming to join Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil’s Mario Zagallo as the only men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager.
“We have prepared well, I can brag a little about that,” said Deschamps. “The older players all played their role as leaders and the youngsters brought their energy. I have a squad with a good blend. No one complains and they all realise the importance of the competition. When there was an opportunity to be seized, they took it.”
Samuel Umtiti, who scored France’s goal, said: “I’m not going to get much sleep tonight,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to nod off. But I don’t need to anyway; I’m not tired. I don’t care.” France’s win recalled their 1998 semi-final triumph against Croatia, when another defender was the hero of the hour: Lilian Thuram. “I hope it’s a sign,” smiled the No5, before adding: “It is different, though. Let’s take one thing at a time. We need to rest up for Sunday now.”