For their return to school, the French national football team lost to Italy (1-3), at the end of a delicate match, on Friday 6 September, on the pitch of the Parc des Princes in Paris. It was their second consecutive defeat after their elimination in the quarter-finals of the European Nations Championship, against Spain (1-2), which had not happened for nine years. However, Bradley Barcola launched the French team perfectly, scoring the fastest goal in the history of the Blues, in the thirteenth second of play, the first under the blue jersey, and in their stadium.
The enchanted parenthesis was then quickly closed. Didier Deschamps’ team, although enterprising in the first half, then suffered repeated attacks from the Squadra Azzurri, until giving in for the first time with a sumptuous move concluded by Federico Dimarco (30).my). And a second at the restart, thanks to Davide Frattesi (50my). Giacomo Raspadori finally confirmed the result (74my), in a darkened room, little enchanted by the proposed spectacle.
Third in their Nations League group, France will face Belgium, the group winner, on Monday 9 September at the Groupama stadium in Décines-Charpieu (Rhône). They are hoping for a real change.
to remember
- The cador. Luciano Spalletti.
With an inexperienced squad, the burden of a missed Euro 2024 and an obstacle of the size of the French national team to his return, the Squadra Azzurri coach knew how to make his choices count. In a recital of counter-phases, the 3-5-2 system knew how to fail the French midfielder and then his defence. Luciano Spalletti, who was in the lead after the hour mark, even managed to relieve his players with well-intentioned substitutions, which also led to the third goal, which definitively sealed the Italian victory.
1-0, 1D : Bradley Barcola scored his first goal for the national team after losing the ball to Italy after 13 seconds. When he passed back, defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo was caught out by the pressure of the Parisian winger, who stole the ball from him. Launching himself at full speed, the Frenchman returned to the centre of the pitch and struck hard with his right foot under the crossbar. His club teammate, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, was helpless. 1-0.
1-1, 30my : The Italians took advantage of one of their only forays to come back, thanks to a goal from their left back Federico Dimarco. The Inter Milan defender trusts Sandro Tonali, who does his job without control. On the first attempt, Dimarco volleys in from the left and equalises with a shot into the top corner. 1-1.
1-2.50my : In poor form after returning from the dressing room, Les Bleus are ahead in the duels. Youssouf Fofana loses the ball in midfield. Mateo Retegui moves to the right and crosses to Davide Fratesi, who attacks to score his sixth goal in 20 international matches.
1-3, 74my : Jonathan Clauss was in trouble until his replacement by Jules Koundé at the end of the match, but was again beaten by Destiny Udogie, who served Giacomo Raspadori in the box. Taken by surprise, William Saliba failed to catch the Napoli striker, who opened up with his right foot. Mike Maignan was beaten.
- The number. 13. Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola scored the fastest goal in Les Bleus’ history, after 13 seconds of play, Franck Sauzée had scored in 34 seconds in 1991, against Albania (5-0).
- The sentence. “Sometimes we lose, that’s football.”
Visibly tired but not worried in front of the TF1 microphone, Antoine Griezmann accepted this defeat with a certain detachment.
Thirteen seconds and that’s it. The Blaugrana fans in the stands at the Parc des Princes enjoyed a great deal of excitement, which was (also?) replaced by the French team’s footballing apathy. Our rating, which goes from A to E, will surely be saved by Italy’s pleasant play in the second half.
