Germany 0-0 France: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

#3 Alphonse Areola shines on France debut

Areola makes a stunning save

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola holds the dubious record of winning the World Cup with France despite never having represented the senior side. Hugo Lloris took the job between the sticks in Russia whereas Kevin Trapp played second fiddle.

A thigh injury to the Tottenham Hotspur No.1 gave Areola the opportunity he needed and Deschamps had no hesitation in giving him his first cap for France.

Areola was barely tested in the first half as Germany failed to create quality opportunities. In the second half though, when the home side did start dominating the game near the hour mark, Areola made sure he denied the men in white shirts every time and made a series of fantastic saves.

6 - Alphonse Areola 🇫🇷 made 6 saves against Germany 🇩🇪, no other French goalkeeper did better in a single game in the last 10 years. Impressive.#GERFRA pic.twitter.com/sIla7WqlAm

— OptaJean ⭐⭐ (@OptaJean) September 6, 2018

He was first tested by a curling long-range effort from Reus which he effectively parried behind for a corner. Muller then tried his luck with an improvised cross from the left flank which was headed towards the top right corner of Areola's goal but the debutant was able to save that as well. His best save of the night came when he fended off a close-range Matthias Ginter header from a corner kick.

Areola was undoubtedly France's best player on the night and he would most certainly be proud of his first outing for Les Bleus.