Euro24 : Off colour France labour to 1-0 win over Austria

 

Like the rest of the big teams, France started the Euro Cup campaign with a win.  But their performance against Austria on Monday was not satisfactory.  They somehow won 1-0 with a same side goal.  Austria's defenders would not have conceded the three points if they had not made a mistake.  France could not get the ball into the opponent's net even once.  On the contrary, the manner in which they squandered one opportunity after another is bound to be taken into consideration.  On the opposite side, Austria could have won the match if they could have used their opportunities.

 France was attacking from the beginning by holding the ball.  Their attack was starting from the rear.  They decided to rise above by measuring the opponent.  It was working.  Under constant pressure, Austria concentrated on defending its fortresses.  The two teams were fighting in the midfield.

 In the beginning, France had a couple of opportunities but could not use them.  There, Austria was continuously attacking even if it got the opportunity.  France's game lacked that rhythm.  France did not play the way they did in midfield in the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

In the past, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann controlled France's play from midfield.  Even though Griezmann was there on this day, he was not a 'play-maker' like Pogba.  As a result, despite having players like Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram with Mbappe, chances were not being created.  Even with N'Golo Kante or Adrian Rabiot, they couldn't create enough chances.

 However, France went ahead in the first half.  In 45 minutes, the rhythm fell only once for Austria.  France attacked from the right.  Mbappe crossed the opponent's defender and floated the ball into the box.  But no teammate could reach him.  But while clearing the ball, Maximilian Uber put it into his own goal.

Griezmann was injured at the beginning of the second half.  He was fighting for possession of the ball with the opposing player.  Uber pushed Griezmann towards the signboard on the edge of the field while handling the ball.  The French footballer bled after hitting the signboard.  The forehead is cut.  Griezmann was also angry.  However, the referee did not show a yellow card.  Griezmann returned to the field with a bandage on his head.

 Mbappe missed the best chance of the day in the 55th minute.  Rabion passes to Mbappe from midfield.  Mbappe reached the box by pulling the ball alone.  The goalkeeper was alone in front.  Mbappe hit outside while keeping a shot on the right side of the goal.  He himself could not believe it after that.  Coach Didier Deshan sat with his head in the dugout.

 After that, France continued to attack for some time.  But could not score.  In the 85th minute, Mbappe's nose broke in a collision with Austrian defender Danso.  Blood soaked his face and jersey.  The game stops for a while.  Coach wanted to remove Mbappe.  But before that bleeding stopped completely, Mbappe returned to the field and sat down holding his nose.  The referee showed him a yellow card.

 But in the end there was no more danger.  France held on to  the goal.  Even though they won, they were well below their best