Euro 2024 it should have been another international stage for Kylian Mbappe to shine and power France to a major piece of silverware. However, their dreams were destroyed by the team that defeated Spain in the semi-final on Tuesday night.
Les Bleus came under fire for their form under Didier Deschamps during the tournament, scoring their first goal in an open game against La Roja in the final four.
Although Mbappe has enjoyed two successful World Cups in his career so far, his efforts at the two European Championships he has participated in have both led to disappointment, managing just one goal in nine total appearances in UEFA’s top competition.
So what went wrong with Real Madrid’s new striker this year?
France did not play well in their Group D opener against Austria, going over the line thanks to Max Wober’s goal in the 38th minute.
Mbappe was badly beaten in the encounter, scoring with one of his four shots, and was badly injured in a collision with Kevin Danso. France later confirmed that he had broken his nose.
The injury caused the 25-year-old to miss the team’s next game against the Netherlands. It ended up goalless, but when Mbappe came out next he was far from relieved…
A number of professional football players have been forced to wear face masks due to serious injuries.
Stars such as Victor Osimhen, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, Josko Gvardiol and Robert Lewandowski have all sported protective equipment in recent years with varying degrees of discomfort, but Mbappe has made no secret of his love of the equipment.
He said: As soon as I was able to take it off I will take it off, now I have no choice, I will not play without it, it is annoying, you saw that I changed five times but there were not all the pictures, I changed more than that my competition will be the same and it will not be an excuse because I can only play like that, I have to thank the mask.
Manager Deschamps previously revealed: “Despite everything he went through, a week after the beating, it was difficult. I thought he was fine on his feet with the mask. He needed to get used to it. But when he sweats, it sticks to his eyes and he needs to wipe his eyes.
“He is hungry to play and the game would do something for him, especially if we look at what we will be doing. [next].”
Efficiency and pragmatism is the name of the game in international football. The best national teams often show their class by grinding their way through the group and knockout stages, so being calm and stable in midfield is undeniably important.
However, there is doubt that Deschamps has gone too far in trying to ensure his defense is adequately protected.
Antoine Griezmann was poor at his best but when he was sent off in the semi-final against Spain, Deschamps decided to field a trio of midfield players in N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchoaumeni and Adrien Rabiot, none of whom are particularly famous for their play. intelligence.
They couldn’t play full passes and Mbappe, who has expressed his regrets about not being able to play with Paul Pogba, likes to jump, taking up a large part of his attacking arsenal.
However, Mbappe cannot blame the lack of performances at the back for the lack of goals at Euro 2024.
He finished the tournament with one penalty to his name but was unable to take any of his chances, undermining his xG total for the tournament (2.9) by 1.9. It’s not a great swing but the stats show how wrong he was in front of the wickets.
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