Euro24 : France without MBappe draw with Netherlands goalless in a tight game

 

 

France were held to a goalless draw against the Netherlands in the Euro Cup high voltage clash  on Friday.  Kylian Mbappe did not play due to a nose injury.  France felt his lack throughout the match.  They created several good scoring chances.  But due to the lack of a proper striker, two points had to be left on the field.  A Netherlands goal was disallowed for offside.  Although it may be debated in the future.

 Mbappe has been spotted in training wearing a face guard for the past two days.  However, many were surprised to see the first XI of France on Friday.  Mbappe's name was not there.  

 Coach Didier Deshon did not take any risks.  So without Mbappe, France arranged the team to 4-4-1-1.  Marcus Thuram was at the very front.  A little behind is Griezmann.  The Netherlands had a chance in the first minute.  Memphis Depay passed the ball to Jeremy Frimpong.  His shot was saved by France goalkeeper Mike Mignon.

 France squandered a very easy chance after 14 minutes.  Adrien Xavion received the ball in the box.  With the goalkeeper alone in front of him, Xavion passed to Griezmann on the left.  The French footballer could not catch the ball.  Fell while trying to handle.  After standing up and taking possession of the ball, the footballers of the Netherlands quickly snatched the ball from his feet.  Two minutes later, Cody Gakpo's shot was saved by the French goalkeeper.

 Although the Netherlands had control of the ball, they were unable to attack.  A lack of finishing was evident time and time again in the Netherlands' game.  Aiming to attack on the wing was not successful.

 Without a striker like Mbappe, France was clearly lacking in goal scorers.  Griezmann created play but could not put Thuram through.   France couldn't create any attacks to say the least from corners.

 France had another good chance in the second half after 65 minutes.  Aurelien Chuameni passed the ball to Thuram.  Thuram back heeled the ball to Ousmane Dembele.  N'Golo Kante then turns and passes the ball to Griezmann.  Griezmann, who was a few inches away from the goal, received the ball with his left foot and went to shoot with his left foot.  There was no force in that shot.  It hit the feet of Dutch keeper Bert Verbruggen and turned into a corner.

 The Netherlands went ahead four minutes later.  France was scrambling for the ball in the box.  Xavi Simmons shot from outside the box after receiving the ball.  The linesman ruled offside even though the ball was in the net.  The decision was upheld on subsequent examination of the burden.  Denzil Dumfries was said to have been offside at the time of Simmons' shot and gave the goalkeeper no room to jump.  The Netherlands players were not at all happy with that decision.

 Neither team could create a telling chance later on.  However, both teams continued to attack.