News Focus
- France lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast at the Stade de la Beaujoire in their penultimate match before the World Cup
- Rayan Cherki was the standout performer, scoring a spectacular goal after a lively 15-minute spell
- Didier Deschamps received an outpouring of support from fans amid speculation about his future
- Defensive mistakes from Ibrahima Konaté and an unconvincing display from Jules Koundé raised concerns
- The ten half-time substitutes failed to seize their opportunity to impress the manager
France fell to a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast on Thursday evening. This friendly in Nantes marked their final appearance on home soil before the FIFA World Cup.
Rayan Cherki was the brightest star on the pitch. The young midfielder left the field after 78 minutes to loud chants from the crowd. He plays like a wildcard who always wants the ball. Even when he is not at his peak, he can still create magic.
He wasted an early chance because he was too casual. However, he never stopped demanding possession. After a mixed start, he suddenly controlled the game for 15 minutes around the half-hour mark. His excellent play ended with a brilliant goal.
The second half proved harder. He tried too hard to force opportunities, and the five substitutions at the break disrupted the team’s flow. Still, his tricks excited the supporters. It will be difficult for him to break into the starting eleven when Ousmane Dembélé returns from rest. However, he certainly stated his case for selection.
Didier Deschamps enjoyed strong backing from the fans. This support has not always been present. Since Euro 2024, some supporters have felt disconnected from the team. Many expect Zinédine Zidane to take over after the World Cup. They believe Deschamps has become too conservative, while Zidane would bring fresh energy.
Some feared this negative mood would spoil the atmosphere. Instead, the fans showed great emotion. They displayed a large tifo of the manager’s face and sang his name. Many wore masks of the former player. Banners expressed gratitude for his work. This warmth will help Deschamps feel the nation’s support before the tournament begins.
Marcus Thuram also had a solid performance. Critics often question his place in the squad. He has only three goals in 34 appearances for his country. The competition for attacking spots is fierce. Despite this, Deschamps trusts him as his first-choice left-sided option.
Thuram thrives as a central striker with a partner, like at Inter Milan. He has never fully replicated his club form at international level. Yet this was one of his better displays. He did not score, but many attacks flowed through his side. He combined well with Theo Hernández and Kylian Mbappé. Hernández’s overlapping runs allowed Thuram to drift inside. This suits his physical style and linking play better than staying wide on the touchline.
Jules Koundé struggled at right-back. This position has troubled Deschamps for years. The manager has tested many players there. Recently, he has relied on Koundé, who is naturally a centre-back. The defender has had a poor season at Barcelona.
Normally, this would not threaten his place. Malo Gusto has not excelled at Chelsea, and his attacking style does not fit Deschamps’ needs. However, Warren Zaïre-Emery has now emerged as an option. The Paris Saint-Germain star has played well at right-back. Koundé’s spot may be under threat.
The defender looked nervous and lacked confidence early on. Yan Diomandé won their personal battle, even though the Ivory Coast player hardly touched the ball. Koundé offers little going forward. He must rediscover his defensive solidity quickly.
Ibrahima Konaté also disappointed. His departure from Liverpool has been confirmed, making this a Premier League transfer matter. William Saliba carries a back injury. The medical staff may need to manage his minutes during the World Cup. This means Konaté might play a bigger role than expected. So his performance carried extra importance.
Deschamps demands reliability at the back. Konaté failed to provide it. He was not directly at fault for Guéla Doué’s equaliser. However, he reacted too slowly and failed to anticipate the through ball. If Saliba recovers full fitness, he remains the clear first choice. Without kicking a ball, Saliba was one of the evening’s winners.
The second half offered fringe players a chance to shine. None took it. Maghnes Akliouche failed to link with teammates. N’Golo Kanté looked a step slow. Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix and Lucas Hernandez provided fewer guarantees than those they replaced. The ten changes at half-time certainly disrupted the rhythm. Nevertheless, these players wanted to give Deschamps selection headaches. They did not succeed.