What is the situation for the Blues a month after the lost final?
Axel Allag, Media365 Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 7:40 pm.
A month ago, the French team lost to Argentina led by Lionel Messi in the final of the 2022 World Cup (3:3; 4 shots on goal for 2). Since then, the vice-world champions have taken different paths in their clubs, with more or less success. Overview.
It’s been a long time since the defeat to Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup for the group of 26 blues in Qatar. That was only 1 month ago and while the Bundesliga continues on Thursday with the opposition between Leipzig and Bayern Munich, 15 elements have been able to continue since then. Raphaël Varane was the first man to set up for Manchester United in a 3-0 win over Nottingham just 9 days after the extraordinary final with the Albiceleste. William Saliba followed the same path with Arsenal, playing from Boxing Day. The two centre-backs were both undefeated for their clubs in the Premier League, even if they didn’t have the same impact in Qatar – 30 minutes a game for the latter. Always on the positive side, reviewsOusmane Dembélé (2 goals) and Jules Kounde stand out for Barça as they win the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid (3-1). The first title of the Xavi era. Monegasques Axel Disasi and Youssouf Fofana were able to keep pace with AS Monaco, who are unbeaten after returning from the break. Against Auxerre, Fofana’s own goal did not prevent the success of the princely club (2-3), while Disasi scored in an exhibition against Ajaccio (7-1).
In Ligue 1, OM’s Matteo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout do not have the same recent status. The former may leave the Marseille club when Aston Villa is interested, while the latter is in good form in Ligue 1 in 3rd place, symbolized by the goal he scored against Lorient at the Orange Velodrome (3-1) on Saturday. Antoine Griezmann, the author of 2 assists with Atletico de Madrid, will also be included in the satisfaction category in this post-World Cup period. Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennais), Adrien Rabiot (Juve), Olivier Giroud (Milan) and Theo Hernandez (Milan) returned to their starting positions without a flash. Recall that the Rennes goalkeeper announced his international retirement, but he knew how to shine at the club, especially against PSG (1-0) on Sunday.
Complex turns for Mbappé, Lloris or Tchouaméni
5 elements had a rather complicated comeback. Kylian Mbappé, who scored the goal in PSG’s victory over Strasbourg on December 28 (2-1), had more trouble, especially in Lens (3-1) before being cut for almost 12 days in the United States. The top scorer of the World Cup (8 goals) was able to measure his popularity rating by being liked in Bollaert in Brittany at that time. In England, Hugo Lloris, who recently retired from international duty, fought against Tottenham Spurs. Made two fouls in two defeats, breaking Lilian Thuram’s selection record, Aston Villa then Arsenal (0-2 each time). Ibrahima Konate is trying to keep the ship afloat in a Liverpool that has faced great difficulties this season, but he scored against Brentford (3-1) for his camp. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga appeared in Valladolid on December 30. The former is injured and could be out until the end of January, while the latter has been substituted at halftime for the last two games.
Benzema, a special case
Alphonse Areola, who sits on the bench at West Ham, has seen no change in his current 18-year-old status in the Premier League, having recorded 3 defeats in 4 games since returning from the World Cup. In Germany, Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard were able to play in a friendly as the Bundesliga continued on Friday with Bayern Munich away to Leipzig. Lucas Hernandez – torn anterior cruciate ligament in right knee – will not return to competition for some time. Also in Germany, Randal Kolo-Muani (Frankfurt) and Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach) should continue this weekend against Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen. Karim Benzema, who was originally retained in the group of 26 but missed the competition, announced the end of his international career the day after the defeat to Argentina. Real Madrid’s number 9 was reinstated before the end of the World Cup and he scored 5 goals in 4 games, the last of which failed to prevent a defeat to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final (3-1)..
