France finally show grit but is this a turning point or simply a false dawn?

“There’s a lot of pride,” beamed Didier Deschamps in the aftermath of France’s 3-1 win at San Siro on Sunday night, avenging Les Bleus’ defeat by the same scoreline in Paris two months ago.

It would probably be premature to speak of a “renaissance” – as Monday’s L’Équipe front page read – but the resilient display has at least afforded some breathing space to the under-pressure head coach.

The drab goalless draw against Israel three days before had offered few conclusions, not least because of the off-pitch context. In front of a crowd of 16,611 – Les Bleus’ lowest-ever turnout at the Stade de France, amid heightened security measures – the hosts’ nondescript showing matched the general disinterest.

At the end of a calendar year fraught with tedious and uninspiring performances, there would be little to lose from sending out what would nominally be a second-string lineup in Italy. “Criticism is a part of life. I know that expectations are high – I wanted to use these six Nations League matches to see new players,” Deschamps continued.

The revitalised performance in Milan was driven by an overhaul in the starting lineup – seven changes in total – as well as Lucas Digne’s left boot. With two assists and a free-kick turned into the Italian net by Guglielmo Vicario, the Aston Villa defender gave a fitting performance to celebrate his half-century of France caps.

Although there was little at stake – both teams had already qualified for the latter stages – the Milanese crowd was nonetheless in a belligerent mood, as evidenced by the thunderous booing of the Marseillaise before kick-off. The stadium was soon silenced, as Adrien Rabiot headed in the opener after two minutes, before Digne’s free-kick doubled the lead.

While Italy pulled one back before half-time through the Juventus wing-back Andrea Cambiaso, Les Bleus stepped up in the second half to produce arguably their best performance of the year. Having resisted an onslaught of attacks from the (admittedly off-colour) Azzurri, France restored their two-goal cushion midway through the half as Rabiot headed in another cross from Digne.

Of this summer’s Olympic finalists, the Roma midfielder Manu Koné has most convincingly graduated to the senior team. Alongside Rabiot and Mattéo Guendouzi, the 23-year-old was part of a renewed midfield trio which outmuscled their opponents in one-on-one challenges and broke through opposition lines.

 

The midfield trio of Adrien Rabiot (centre), Mattéo Guendouzi (left) and Manu Koné ran Italy ragged. 

Michael Olise, meanwhile, has yet to replicate the form that made him the Under-21 team’s standout player under Thierry Henry’s management, and his fellow ex-Bleuet Bradley Barcola has only reproduced his sensational club form in short flashes on the international stage.

A lack of incisiveness in attack is the biggest problem for France, who look no more convincing going forward than during their Euro 2024 campaign in which they scored once from open play. At San Siro, all three of France’s goals came from set pieces, with the reworked front three scarcely providing any assurances.

For Randal Kolo Muani, who to his credit is France’s top scorer this year with six goals, a valiant work rate is ultimately not enough to emulate Kylian Mbappé’s impact. Marcus Thuram – playing in familiar surroundings at San Siro – and Christopher Nkunku found themselves in similarly isolated positions across a disjointed French frontline, and were dispossessed too easily by the Azzurri defenders.

With Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann missing, the latter abruptly announcing his international retirement a few weeks ago, the French were left without their two nominal leaders this month. With other vocal figures taking centre stage in their absence – the goalkeeper Mike Maignan in particular – a reorganisation in dressing room dynamics looks to be taking place. Ibrahima Konaté turned in an assured performance on his first appearance with the armband, while the 29-year-old Rabiot – who also marked his 50th cap – emerged as the newly crowned veteran figure in midfield.

Barring an international comeback for Paul Pogba, all of the stalwarts from Deschamps’ first decade in charge are now out of the picture. Mbappé, the man who was designated to lead the new generation, is for the time being a peripheral figure.

Deschamps remained enigmatic when pushed again on his captain’s omission, although he did seem to hint at a general malaise on the forward’s part: “It’s complicated for him. Leave him alone, I’m sure he’ll get back to his best.” Mbappé’s absence for the second consecutive international break – and the lack of transparency over the reasons for it – will remain the major talking point before the team next convenes in March.

France’s attacking threat, especially from open play, is drastically blunted without an in-form and confident Mbappé. Whatever the true reasons for the 25-year-old’s absence, French fans will be keeping a keen eye on the Spanish capital over the next few months in hope of a return to his best.

Until then, though, Les Bleus can ride on the high of a slight uptick in optimism after a tenacious performance in hostile territory. The new generation’s seminal performance, though, will have to wait until next year.