“They don’t know each other”, “It could annoy the other” - Frank Leboeuf identifies 2 problems with France after Euro 2024 draw with Austria

Former French defender Frank Leboeuf has pointed out two issues with France after their UEFA Euro 2024 clash against Austria on Monday, June 17. He highlighted the lack of familiarity in defense and selfishness in attack as their two biggest problems.

Les Bleus beat Austria 1-0 in their Euro 2024 opener at the Merkul Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Monday. Maximilian Wober's own goal in the 38th minute was the difference between the two sides. Austria put in a good performance, maintaining 52% possession and having 3/5 attempts on target but failed to find the equalizer.

Analyzing the game for ESPN FC, Frank Leboeuf pointed out two issues with France at Euro 2024. He started with defense, where William Saliba started instead of Ibrahima Konate alongside Dayot Upamecano. Saliba had a couple of miscommunications with Upamecano and also made a big mistake, only to be bailed out by N'Golo Kane.

Lebouef said:

“[I’m worried] about two areas. First one would be the centre-backs because Upamecano and Saliba don’t know each other very well.

"Saliba had a good game, but the first chance of the game came for Austria after him and Upamecano knocked into each other. It was a big chance for Austria, before Maignan saved it. That’s something, at that level, you cannot afford."

Lebouef also said that France's attackers often try to be the hero themselves and fail to pass to teammates in better positions. He said:

“The other one is upfront. The talent is so much there that sometimes every one of them wants to be the saviour and they don’t see the best option next to them. I saw Griezmann not passing to Dembele in the first half, of course Mbappe [also] does that a lot and forgets his teammates. I also saw Thuram trying to shoot when he could’ve crossed the ball.

“If somebody is in a better position and they don’t decide to pass, it could annoy the other and this could become an issue for the spirit of the squad.”

Les Bleus will take on the Netherlands in their next Euro 2024 clash on Friday, June 21.

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France manager Didier Deschamps on starting William Saliba in Euro 2024 clash against Austria

Didier Deschamps made a surprise decision to start William Saliba over Ibrahima Konate in France's Euro 2024 opener against Austria. Saliba had a brilliant season with Arsenal but Deschamps had previously hinted that he would prefer the settled duo of Konate and Dayot Upamecano.

However, Saliba started and made five clearances, won 2/5 duels, made one tackle, and completed 59/62 passes. He made a couple of big errors as well but in the end, France kept a clean sheet.

After the game, Deschamps explained his decision to start Saliba, saying (via Get French Football News):

“If I decided to play William Saliba, it is because I thought he was more ready than Konaté for such a match. But I don’t want to lose anyone either, we will need everyone.

"They (Saliba and Upamecano) have 120 minutes together for the France national team, it’s not a lot, but they have this ability to be very solid in one-on-one [situations], even if there were some clearances that they could improve on, they exuded a lot of strength and calmness. We needed that against such an opponent."

Saliba has made 16 appearances for France so far and will look to put in a good showing at Euro 2024.