'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 The Wall that is Alphonse Areola
Hugo Lloris injured, Steve Mandanda injured who could Didier Deschamps turn to in his hour of need against Germany. Alphonse Areola answered the call and my, oh my did the PSG star step up in a man of the match performance against the Germans in the UEFA Nations League. A sensational debut and exactly the performance Deschamps envisioned when he selected the 25-year-old against Germany.
Trending
Six saves according to Opta Jean, a feat no other French goalkeeper has done in over ten years and all that in a debut game against Germany. But while the game was relatively quiet for about 60 odd minutes, it suddenly exploded in the last half-hour or so, with the PSG man making four of his six incredible stops.
This includes a powerful Mat Hummels’ volley, an over-hit cross that was bound for the top corner and a sensational reaction save from Matthias Ginter’s header after a corner. The 25-year old showed coach Didier Deschamps that there is life after the 31 year Hugo Lloris retires and not only that he showed PSG that he is good enough to man their back-line.
A colossal figure in the French goal, if Alphonse Areola continues his run of form, he is bound to find happiness for France and add to his lone cap.
