The Blues’ perfect run in 2023 came to an end this Tuesday evening in Dortmund. After winning their first five matches of the year with no goals conceded, Didier Deschamps’ men fell to Germany (1-2) in a friendly match. With a reshuffled team, like Kylian Mbappé preserved who did not come into play, the French team was not successful against the Mannschaft on the defensive level but also in the opposing camp.
From the start, the German selection which had suffered a heavy setback against Japan, fatal to its coach Hansi Flick, wanted to show another face in front of its public. After a nice movement on the left, Benjamin Henrichs manages to straighten the ball in the axis. Despite the fairly strong center, Thomas Müller manages to control and deceive Mike Maignan for the first time in 2023 (0-1, 4th minute). The new players lined up after the success against Ireland are struggling, like Benjamin Pavard who is regularly overtaken in his lane.
???? France has not won any of the last 4 matches where Kylian Mbappé did not start (2 draws, 2 defeats).
On the offensive level, it was not more glorious with a muddled French team which notably waited until the 30th minute to take its first shot through Randal Kolo Muani. Even if Germany was feverish, the attacks of the Blues were not sharp enough to make the difference against the men of interim coach Rudi Völler. A big contentious action all the same with Kolo Muani deliberately pushed into the area by Rüdiger. A penalty could have been awarded to the Blues on this one but Anthony Taylor did not flinch. On his bench Didier Deschamps gives voice and his team finishes this first period better, without making the difference.
Returning from the locker room, the Blues kept their foot on the ball but Germany showed great virtues in defense. New arrivals like Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram do not bring the little extra needed despite some good breakthroughs. The second act is generally disappointing and the vice-champions lack inspiration. At the end of the match, Leroy Sané escapes Saliba’s vigilance and goes to deceive Mike Maignan (0-2, 87th). The French team then has a burst of pride and will reduce the gap from the penalty spot. Broke in the area, Eduardo Camavinga gives Antoine Griezmann the opportunity to save the honor. The captain of the Blues deceives Ter Stegen (1-2, 89th) but he cannot prevent the defeat of his team.
No miracle comeback for the Blues who lost 1-2 in Germany.
The captain of the Blues reduces the gap and deceives Ter Stegen. There are four minutes left with added time to equalize, 2-1 for Germany.
Camavinga is cut down in the box! The Blues have the opportunity to experience a crazy end to the match.
Leroy Sané goes alone to the goal on the right side and deceives Mike Maignan with a nice cross shot. The Blues are in trouble.
On the right side number 7 of the Blues sends a superb curling shot. The German goalkeeper responds with an equally exceptional save.
The observation is that Mbappé is as essential to the French team as to Paris Saint-Germain. No Kyk’s, no party. His contribution is considerable.
Youssouf Fofana replaces Adrien Rabiot who is not very prominent this evening. On the German side, Gosens and Hofmann replace Wirtz and Henrichs.
The PSG striker has been on his feet since he came on and made many differences, without making the final decisive move.
The speaker has just announced the attendance of this meeting, with a sad Yellow Wall however.
Coman, Pavard and Kolo Muani come out for Dembélé, Koundé and Thuram.
Havertz and Brandt replace Gnabry and Müller, the evening scorer for the moment
It’s getting closer for the Blues! On a cross from the left, evening captain Griezmann places his head but the ball passes next to the German right post.
On a powerful strike from Tchouaméni, Ter Stegen pushes back into the feet of the PSG striker who is not well on his feet and is unable to recover the effort.
Too rough as usual, the Mannschaft defender receives a warning.
3’29” – France conceded a goal after 3 minutes and 29 seconds, their earliest goal conceded since Robbie Brady’s with the Republic of Ireland in the round of 16 of EURO 2016 (1’58 ”). Oops.
No change at the start of this second half.
France showed a better face at the end of the first period but it will be necessary to show more to equalize against a Germany which is resisting for the moment.
Found alone on the left, the Milanese full-back cuts into the middle but his right shot misses.
The German midfielder received the first yellow card of the match for having illegally stopped a good attack from the Blues led by Kolo Muani.
On a free kick very well taken by Griezmann, Tchpuaméni crosses his head but Ter Stegen makes a great save.
Proof that things are not going well this evening, we had to wait half an hour to see the first French attempt. Kolo Muani saw his shot fly into the Dortmund sky.
The interim coach of the Mannschaft has already played in France when he was a player, for OM.
The reunion between Rudi Voller and Didier Deschamps on Tuesday in Dortmund ???
Hit in the back after falling badly, Ilkay Gündogan is replaced by Pascal Gross from Brighton.
While Kolo Muani had passed, Rudiger deliberately pushed him with his hands. Anthony Taylor, the referee of the match, does not signal a foul… even though it seemed obvious!
Benjamin Pavard is suffering on the right. Florian Wirtz manages to infiltrate but his cross does not find a taker.
Beyond the goal conceded, the French team fails to keep the ball.
Thomas Müller opens the scoring for the Mannschaft! On the right side Henrichs is found in the area and serves the Bayern player who leaves Maignan no chance.
The Mannschaft kicks off this meeting in Dortmund!
We will first hear the Marseillaise before the German anthem.
The central defender of OGC Nice will experience his first cape with the Blues. He is aligned alongside William Saliba.
For his 123rd selection, the 32-year-old striker will wear the armband due to Kylian Mbappé replacing at kick-off.
Ter Stegen – Sule, Rüdiger, Tah, Henrichs – Can, Gündogan (cap) – Gnabry, Wirtz, Sané – Müller
The 1??1?? which will begin against Germany Kick-off at 9:00 p.m. on @TF1
The dynamic is very worrying in Germany: renowned for being reliable internationally, the Mannschaft is in decline and has just parted ways with its coach Hansi Flick.
The French team travels to Germany full of confidence: Griezmann and his team have five victories in a row and still no goals conceded in 2023.
We’re together this evening to follow the friendly match between Germany and France in Dortmund!
