“The eyes are red! Spain ends the adventure of the Equipe Tricolore,” was the headline in the French sports newspaper L’Equipe following the team’s defeat in the EURO semi-finals. The sting is indeed deep for the runners-up, who did not live up to their potential for much of the tournament.
Team leader Didier Deschampswho might have been the first in history to win two World Cups and two European Championships (as a player and coach), was clearly disappointed. “We didn’t have enough energy and freshness,” said the 55-year-old, who has been in office since 2012.
Deschamps’ contract runs until the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The long-term coach is reluctant to answer questions regarding his future. He said he had not followed the instructions of the association president Philippe Diallo fulfilled, he said: “Talk to my president, you know exactly what he thinks! I just lost a semifinal here, so please respect the people who are in charge.”
Whether Diallo really stands unconditionally behind Deschamps remains to be seen. The boss is considered a big fan of the French legend Zinedine Zidane (three Champions League titles in a row with Real Madrid). The general football mood in the country is also calling for change. Deschamps is seen – albeit highly successful – as a brake on a golden generation that is not let off the leash. The national team’s minimalism was disliked. When they were challenged following falling behind once morest Spain, they did very little.
Kylian Mbappe might have turned things around once more, but his shot in the 86th minute went way over the goal. The captain was accordingly self-critical: “I had the ambition to become European champion and to play well in the European Championship. I didn’t achieve either. It’s a disappointment,” stressed the 25-year-old.
For Olivier Giroud The 137th appearance for “Les Bleus” was the last. The 37-year-old is ending his team career.
ePaper
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Editor Sports
Alexander Zambarloukos
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