France have started the defence of their UEFA Nations League title in the most unexpected of ways as they have now failed to register a win in all the three matches they’ve played so far....CONTINUE READING
After another 1-1 draw against Austria this night, the Les Bleus now occupy bottom place in the Group 1 table of the UNL.
A loss to Denmark in the opening match was followed by consecutive 1-1 draws against Croatia and Austria, a true reflection that something is clearly wrong in that team.
After watching them really well in all the three matches they’ve played, I cannot help but notice that the team has so much missed Olivier Giroud.
Yes, they have the world class Karim Benzema who is arguably the best striker in the world currently, but they still miss Giroud because of what he brings into the team.
It came as a huge surprise when Didier Deschamps decided not to pick Giroud for these matches. The AC Milan striker had just won the Scudetto and is less than 5 goals aways from becoming France’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Over the years, the former Arsenal and Chelsea man has been key to France successes and has always been reliable.
But since Benzema returned to the national team, Giroud’s role in the team has drastically reduced and nowadays, the coach doesn’t even bother to invite him.
Meanwhile, the fluidity in France’s attack is no longer there and they appear to be struggling to win matches.
In the last international matches weeks ago, Giroud was invited and played. Easily they won those matches and he scored in them.
The AC Milan striker is so good he doesn’t need to have the ball at his feet to influence a goal. His movements alone created space for players like Griezman and Mbappe to score.
Some how, Giroud fits this France style more than Benzema. The Real Madrid man is such a different player and we all know just how fantastic he is.
But there’s something about Giroud and the French national team. It is as if he was born to play for them.
Didier Deschamps need to get off his high horses and give Giroud a recall with the World Cup fast approaching.
This is because, if France are to try and retain the Cup, they will need one of the most important players that made them Champions four years ago.
