Mbappe, France on a mission as favourites begin Euro 2024 campaign
16th June 2024
The European Championship is the one title that has evaded the French since Didier Deschamps became coach in 2012.
- Deschamps's side went out of the delayed Euro 2020 in the last 16 after losing on penalties to Switzerland.
- Mbappe missed the decisive kick and the 25-year-old, who has just signed for Real Madrid, is now hoping to make amends by leading his country to glory in Germany.
- France are in Pool D alongside Austria, Poland and Netherlands.
Kylian Mbappe and France have been to the last two World Cup
finals but are on a mission as they begin their Euro 2024 campaign against
Austria on Monday, having endured disappointment in recent editions of the
continental championship.
Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, when a
teenage Mbappe announced himself on the global stage, and only lost the 2022
final on penalties after an epic battle with Argentina in Doha.
They also won the UEFA Nations League in 2021, but the
European Championship is the one title that has evaded the French since Didier
Deschamps became coach in 2012.
Runners-up as hosts in 2016, when they agonizingly lost the
final in extra time to Portugal at a sweltering Stade de France, they have
bitter memories of the last Euros three years ago.
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Deschamps's side went out of the delayed Euro 2020 in the
last 16, squandering a 3-1 lead before losing on penalties to Switzerland.
Mbappe missed the decisive kick and the 25-year-old, who has
just signed for Real Madrid, is now hoping to make amends by leading his
country to glory in Germany.
France have been European champions twice, most recently in
2000 when a 31-year-old Deschamps was captain.
"Whatever happens, he has left an indelible mark on the
French national team," Mbappe said of Deschamps in an interview with
regional daily Ouest-France.
"Now if he wants to make a bit more history we need to do something this summer because the Euros is the only thing he is missing as a coach. After that he will have ticked every box."
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France are arguably the standout candidates to lift the
trophy on July 14 in Berlin, in the same Olympic Stadium where they lost the
2006 World Cup final on penalties to Italy.
They also have the Netherlands and Poland to come in Group D
after Monday's clash with a much-improved Austria in Duesseldorf.
France have not fully convinced in recent outings, including
a goalless draw with Canada last weekend.
Nevertheless, there are explanations for that and there is
hope Les Bleus will find their best form in Germany.
Deschamps has been making tactical adjustments which always
require time to be assimilated.
He has experimented slightly with Antoine Griezmann's
position, but the feeling is the Atletico Madrid man will reprise the midfield
role he played so brilliantly in Qatar.
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There is something of a different look to France's left
side, with Theo Hernandez likely to play in an advanced full-back role behind
Marcus Thuram.
The Inter Milan forward is set to start on the flank with
Mbappe through the middle while Olivier Giroud, now 37, is no longer a starter.
Then there is the return of N'Golo Kante, now aged 33 and
playing in Saudi Arabia.
He missed the 2022 World Cup with injury but was recalled by
Deschamps after two years out of the fold and is set to start against Austria.
His experience, and that of Giroud, could prove crucial in a
young squad featuring 11 players aged 25 or under.
"I am full of excitement, nostalgia and desire. The
main objective is to have the best competition possible," said Giroud as
he prepares for his last major tournament.
"The final in 2016 is still on my mind. This is the
competition I am dreaming of winning."
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Several French players have spoken in recent days about
upcoming elections which could see the far-right win power in the country's
National Assembly.
Those elections will take place during the competition and
Deschamps' squad - a majority of whom come from immigrant backgrounds - can
expect regular questions on the subject.
The coach will hope his players are not distracted by it and
are instead spurred on by the desire to win and bring a divided country
together.
There is no question France have the players to go all the
way, beyond the electric Mbappe.
There are questions about their central defence but
Arsenal's William Saliba is aiming to establish himself in the side on the back
of a superb season in England.
Griezmann is inspirational and Ousmane Dembele is a
nightmare for defenders on the right wing.
"We are all relaxed. Our ambitions have not changed. Just because we are calm it doesn't mean we are going to win the Euros, but we'll do everything we can," said winger Kingsley Coman.