L’Equipe handed out some brutal ratings for the France team despite Kylian Mbappe and Co reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Les Bleus progressed against Portugal in a drab quarter-final tie that finished goalless after 120 minutes of play, with the two sides needing penalties to separate them.
It was Joao Felix’s miss that sent the two-time winners through to the last four, leaving the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe devastated on the field after their exit was confirmed.
French publication L’Equipe reacted in a similar way, dishing out some low scores in their ratings for the match, with the lowest of the lot given to captain and star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Kylian Mbappe was handed an embarrassing rating by L’Equipe for his showing agaisnt Portugal on Friday
Kylian Mbappe was handed an embarrassing rating by L’Equipe for his showing agaisnt Portugal on Friday
The forward has struggled at Euro 2024, with France yet to score a goal themselves from open play at the tournament
The forward has struggled at Euro 2024, with France yet to score a goal themselves from open play at the tournament
Mbappe, who was substituted at the half-way point of extra time, struggled throughout the game and has scored just once in the competition so far, coming from the penalty spot against Poland in the group stage.
His performances at the Euros so far have come under scrutiny, and L’Equipe followed that up as they gave the 25-year-old a score of just two out of 10.
‘While he is supposed to give speed to the game, he slowed it down,’ the analysis read. ‘He was not served either but it is all the more difficult to find him since he no longer puts his head at all and does not dare to go into duels.
‘Apart from a blocked shot (67th) and another too weak (90th + 3), his record is poor.’
The criticism didn’t stop there, however. Antoine Griezmann, the man who competed with Mbappe for the French captaincy when Huge Lloris stepped down, received a similarly harsh score of three out of 10.
He started in a No 10 role behind Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani, but was withdrawn after 67 minutes and replaced by Ousmane Dembele.
‘He should have been more comfortable but his influence on the game was at best erratic, too often insufficient, struggling to turn around to direct and drive something,’ the analysis read. ‘Replaced by Ousmane Dembele (67th, score: 7) who brought dynamism, made differences and even grazed the woodwork (74th).’
It’s possible that the Atletico Madrid man will lose his place for the semi-final tie, which will be against Spain on Tuesday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo reveived three out of 10 as his side crashed out of the competition after a penalty shootout
Cristiano Ronaldo reveived three out of 10 as his side crashed out of the competition after a penalty shootout
Bruno Fernandes, however, scored lower and was withdrawn from the tie on just 68 minutes
Bruno Fernandes, however, scored lower and was withdrawn from the tie on just 68 minutes
France will go into the game as heavy underdogs because of their showings so far, with Spain beating Germany in the last-eight and now favourites to lift the trophy next weekend.
Their opponents, Portugal, however, have some analysis to do after they too disappointed in Germany and came out on the wrong side of the shootout.
Much has been made of Cristiano Ronaldo’s performances in Germany, with the 39-year-old failing to score and reduced to tears after he missed a penalty in the last-16 win over Slovakia.
Manager Roberto Martinez stuck with his man, however, but the risk failed to pay off and he found his side out of the competition despite posessing a plethora of attacking talent including Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao.
Ronaldo was given a score of three out of 10 by L’Equipe, as the publication opted not to shy away from another disappointing showing by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
‘Though he found very little at the start of the match, he applied himself to his passes and allowed himself some nice moments (30th, 52nd), but he did not have the beginning of a shadow of an opportunity,’ a rough translation of their analysis reads.
‘Non-existent after the break, where he lost the rare balls that he touched. He missed a huge opportunity in extra time (93rd) but missed his shot on goal.’
Elsewhere in the Portugal team, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who was taken off after 74 minutes, was slammed, given a two out of 10.
‘He took very bad set pieces, whether from corners or from a direct free kick that CR7 had let him take (42nd),’ a reasoning read. ‘Another significant waste and a duel lost against Maignan (61st). Replaced by Francisco Conceicao, creator of two offerings wasted by CR7 (97th) then Felix (108th).’
Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva was given four out of 10, Joules Koune four out of 10 and Ngolo Kante five out of 10 alongside a number of other stars.
English referee Michael Oliver was given a rating of six out of 10 for his showing at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Friday night.
There was praise for William Saliba, however, who continues to shine in an unfamiliar left-sided centre back role for his country.
There was praise for William Saliba, however, who received an eight out of 10 for his efforts
France will take on Spain in the semi-final on Tuesday following their narrow win over Germany
France will take on Spain in the semi-final on Tuesday following their narrow win over Germany
He was awarded eight out of 10, with the analysis reporting that he ‘reigned in the air and exuded unfailing serenity’ during the game.
‘He knew how to defend standing up to leave no chance to the opponent, and his confidence is obvious,’ it continued.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
