When facing Italy in Milan on Sunday, November 17, the ‘bleus’ had a double mission: to forget the indigestible performance offered against Israel on Thursday (0-0) and to take revenge on the Squadra Azzurra, who had just won in Paris. in September (3-1). At the end of a successful performance and a small festival from Adrien Rabiot – author of a double – and Lucas Digne, the Blues ticked all the boxes and more.
By winning 3 to 1, they actually snatch the first place in group 2 from their afternoon rival and make their task easier ahead of the quarterfinals, which they will play against a second in the group in March. Especially the ‘bleus’ conclude in style a year of ups and downs, marked by the international retirement of Antoine Griezmann and the vagueness around their captain, Kylian Mbappé.
What to remember from France-Italy:
The Blues midfielder has found color since his surprise move to Marseille this summer. Rabiot scored two headed goals, the first to chill San Siro from the start of the match, the second to bring the score to 3-1 and put his team to safety. We saw him in the game, with a lot of volume, sometimes dictating the pace of the game with the ball, or making valuable defensive efforts.
1-0, 2my : Adrien Rabiot rises higher than everyone to send his header into the goal after a corner from Lucas Digne.
2-0, 33my : The blues get a good free kick that seems destined for a right-hander, but Lucas Digne rushes in and sends a magnificent shot with his left foot, which enters the goal with the help of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and his back.
2-1.35my : Jules Koundé loses concentration, the ball is stolen and Federico Dimarco manages to find Andrea Cambiaso who reduces the score with a volley.
3-1.65my : Lucas Digne, again, commands a free kick off center. He sends the ball to the head of Adrien Rabiot, who manages to square his shot while he is in the rearguard. Digne-Rabiot, a winning duo.
Mike Maignan, at the TF1 microphone: “We wanted revenge, we lost in September at home [face aux Italiens]. When we play like this as a team, when we strive for each other, we can do great things, and that is worthy of the France team. »
A more satisfactory match for the Blues, but above all tremendously successful in terms of set pieces. For the first time since 1991 and in a match against Albania (5-0), the French team scored three goals in established times in an official match. 23 years later, Les Bleus have found the solution in this sector!
- The turning point of the match. The blues did not flinch
at 35my In the minute, Federico Dimarco reduces the score after a good play on the left wing, and begins a great Italian play, during which the locals will press to try to reach the goal before the break. Without much confidence in recent months, Les Bleus could have folded, but they prepared to protect their lead, before increasing it in the second half.
After Thursday’s dismal match against Israel, it didn’t take much to make this Italy-France game look tasty. In the end, the Blues did much better with a solid performance, three goals scored, one of them quite spectacular, and a victory against a prestigious opponent in a European classic to end the year. A festive meal ahead of time.
