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Dropping Griezmann is a fascinating call by Deschamps but it certainly sharpens the focus on the creative output of Ousmane Dembele.
For PSG, Dembele is the heartbeat of Luis Enrique’s creative output. All of their forward moves flow through him, leading the way on key metrics like progressive passes, progressive carries and even progressive pass receptions (in other words, everything that goes forwards hits Dembele).
He has not been averse to taking on a central role either.
We have not seen that for France at all though and tonight, without Griezmann shouldering the creative burden, he needs to replicate that form.
Another strength of Deschamps
France were really good in that Nations League campaign Dermot Corrigan mentions.
They switched to a back three and pressed aggressively, and it underlined their capacity to come alive in games rather than control them throughout.
Only four of that France starting XI from the 2021 Nations League final start tonight. Deschamps churns the squad well.
Combined, they’ve had more goals and fewer caps in each of the last four major tournament squads.
Say what you like about Deschamps’ tactics but he’s as good as managers come.
Their previous meeting changed the game
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The last time Spain played France, Mbappe scored the winner in that October 2021 Nations League final.
Spain were super annoyed as he seemed to have been clearly offside, but the officials headed by English referee Anthony Taylor ruled that a new ‘phase of play’ had begun when Spain defender Eric Garcia inadvertently nodded a through-ball into his path.
It was so controversial/nonsensical that it led to a ‘re-interpretation’ of the offside law for all of football the following summer. France kept the trophy though.
A moment for the missing man
Theo Hernandez’ girlfriend has just walked past the press box and Theo’s brother Lucas, who suffered an ACL injury in May, is expected to be here in Munich too, to watch his brother and team-mates.
Lucas has been dealt a cruel hand, missing the Euros and World Cup, while watching his brother shine for Les Bleus.
Another notch for Navas
Sensational age news as Jesus Navas becomes the oldest starter in a Euros semi-final by three days, beating Jens Lehmann’s record from Germany’s 2008 semi with Turkey.
Yamal already has some history with France
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Lamine Yamal has played against France before in a European semi-final — and done quite well…
He scored a superb solo goal when playing for Spain Under-17s last summer, breaking open a tight game to make it 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining.
Yamal scored four goals and gave two assists in five games at that tournament.
Less positively (for Spain), France won that semi 3-1.
Magic Mike solved a potentially sticky situation
Mike Maignan has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament — his saves have prevented around four goals above average.
For a team that lost Hugo Lloris after the 2022 World Cup, it could have easily become a problem position for Deschamps.
Such is their quality and depth of talent pool (see their under-21s), they can always replace players.
It remains to be seen if they’ve solved their No 9 problems, though. Kolo Muani starts again.
GO FURTHER
How ‘Magic Mike’ Maignan emerged from the shadows to become France No 1
One fan, 305 games and 35 roosters all named Balthazar
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Clement Tomaszewski will attend his 305th France match when they play Spain this evening.
He has been following Les Bleus since 1982… and is invariably accompanied by a cockerel.
This is the story of one fan, 42 years of support & 35 roosters — all named Balthazar.
Enjoy a fabulous piece of writing from our own Charlotte Harpur, below.
GO FURTHER
The tale of one France fan, 305 matches and 35 roosters named Balthazar
The renaissance of Jesus Navas
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Jesus Navas wins his 55th Spain cap tonight, almost 15 years after his debut.
Navas won World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 with Spain while at Sevilla, but during his time at Manchester City he drifted off the scene and did not make the squad for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups nor Euro 2016 or Euro 2020.
De la Fuente recalled him for Nations League finals last year, being especially impressed by his character and example for the squad’s younger players — as well as a crossing ability that has not faded, even if he has at times struggled with pacy wingers in La Liga and Europa League games in recent seasons.
Navas now finds himself playing these Euros aged 38, and facing either Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele or both at different times tonight.
No hiding from France’s lack of goals
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France are still yet to score a goal in open play but they have not hidden away from their lack of efficiency. Guy Stephan told the France Football Federation:
💬 “It’s true, we have a problem with our finishing. We create a lot of chances. We have a collective approach at the start, but we can’t finish. We have a lot of shots, both from outside and inside the penalty area. So we need to find the right balance to get that shot on target.
“In the last ten matches before the official start of this European Championship, we had scored 30 or 31 goals. So that wasn’t a problem.
“As it happens, it’s more difficult during this European championship. It’s happened to some great players in the past to go many games without scoring.”
Why are France not scoring goals from open play at Euro 2024?
The Athletic
Ah yes, it takes a rare breed of team to make it to the semi-finals of a 24-team major tournament across five games without scoring ONCE from open play.
One penalty, two own goals. Remarkable.
So why has it been such a struggle for Didier Deschamps’ side in front of goal at Euro 2024?
Let’s our wonderful tactic writer Liam Tharme take you through the issues with his educated eye — just follow the link below to read.
GO FURTHER
Why are France not scoring goals from open play at Euro 2024?
Watch out for the wings
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Finally we see Deschamps stick with a system — he goes to the 4-3-3 that France played on matchday three against Poland.
No Griezmann makes for a less creative France centrally, but they’ll be a big threat out wide.
Mbappe and Dembele are dribbling threats one-v-one. They need to maximise their left-side, being too reliant on their right to attack.
Mbappe always takes the headlines but Theo Hernandez’s crossing is an important asset of the side.
Something of a rarity for France
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So what of France? Well, they are looking to reach their fourth European Championship final — the previous three being 1984, 2000 and 2016.
However, as you may have noticed, 1984 and 2016 were both held in France — meaning this would be only the second time not on French soil.
For context, Spain are looking to reach their fifth Euros final. Only Germany (six) have played in more.
Their semi-final exit to Italy on penalties at Euro 2020 was the first time Spain have reached the last four and not gone on to make the final.
Deschamps can join an elite group in Munich
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If France beat Spain today then Didier Deschamps, who was Les Bleus’ head coach in the Euro 2016 final, will become the third man to manage in two European Championship finals — after Helmut Schon (West Germany in 1972 & 1976) and Berti Vogts (Germany in 1992 & 1996).
Gareth Southgate could also achieve this feat if England beat Netherlands tomorrow.
Spain: starting XI
Dermot Corrigan confirmed this earlier — Spain taking the Real Madrid approach to dropping team news almost arrogantly early — but here again is the starting XI named by Luis de la Fuente to take on France:
Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao) // Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Nacho (Real Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) // Rodri (Manchester City), Fabian Ruiz (PSG) // Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) // Alvaro Morata Capt (Atletico Madrid).It’s Navas and Nacho who come in for the suspended Carvajal and Le Normand, while Olmo replaces the injured Pedri.
A shock and big call from Deschamps
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The biggest shock from France is vice-captain Antoine Griezmann being dropped to the bench. It’s the first time since the 2014 World Cup he has not started a knockout match for Les Bleus.
Ousmane Dembele comes in for Griezmann on the right wing of a 4-3-3. Adrien Rabiot was suspended for the quarter-final against Portugal but returns to midfield alongside Tchouameni and Kante.
Griezmann has struggled for form throughout this tournament but expectations are high. It’s a big call for Deschamps to leave out his ‘darling’ who brings such experience with 134 caps.
France: starting XI
Cue the teams here in Munich. Here is the France starting XI from Didier Deschamps to take on Spain:
Mike Maignan (AC Milan) // Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) // N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus) // Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Kylian Mbappe Capt (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG).So it’s big news that Antoine Griezmann drops to the bench, while Rabiot returns after suspension as he replaces Eduardo Camavinga. Dembele is also restored to the XI.
Team news on the way shortly
We’ve not got long until the two teams are confirmed ahead of kick-off here in Munich.
We already know what Spain will look like, but what about France? We’ll bring you the confirmed team sheets and XIs — and futher analysis of them — as soon as we get them. Don’t go anywhere.
Spain boss delivering as promised
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Luis de la Fuente is a man who sticks to his words. When asked during the week if he was considering playing Rodri as center-back or Cucurella as right-back to stop Mbappe, he replied:
💬 “I don’t like experimenting… We will feel totally secure with Jesus Navas.”
That was backing the 38-year-old ahead of facing one of the toughest match-ups of his career, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmanne Dembele against him.