The final match of the 2022/23 campaign will have seen a visibly tired France side duly trudge their way to three points against Greece on their return to the Stade de France. The match will have at least given more an indication of Didier Deschamps’ first-choice starting eleven moving forward – but not much else, with the difference ultimately being a solitary Mbappé penalty.
The hosts set off with an intensive, ten-minute attacking drive, in which they showed far more of an incisive edge than against Gibraltar. Their efforts were ultimately fruitless, though, with Kylian Mbappé’s crosses finding nobody and Mateu Lahoz setting the tone for the final match of his career by waving away a penalty claim for a foul on the France skipper.
From that initial flurry, the match would take on a more temperate tone, save for the occasional burst down the wing from either Mbappé or Kingsley Coman – the Gus Poyet-coached visitors, though, were unflinching in their defensive efforts. The Spanish referee would dismiss another four calls for fouls on the PSG forward in the penalty box before the end of the half.
Les Bleus would eventually be awarded a spot-kick at the start of the second half – a high boot from Mavropanos hitting Griezmann on the head and leaving the midfielder on the floor. Kylian Mbappé would convert from the spot at the second time of asking – the referee having ordered a retake after a Greece player had entered the box early on the first attempt, which was saved.
Mavropanos would be involved for the wrong reasons again ten minutes later, as a rapid counter-attack from the hosts saw Randal Kolo Muani played through on goal by Coman, only for the former Arsenal defender to bring him down before he could shoot.
Deschamps’ men, though, were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage, as they failed to finish off a litany of three and four-man forays forward. The fourteen minutes of added time would be a fitting end to a season that seemed to have overstayed its welcome, as neither side showed much desire to push on.
The win makes it 12 points from four games – all clean sheets – so far in France’s qualifying campaign for next summer’s Euros. The main takeaway from this week’s matches, though, will be the dire need for rest after an 11-month campaign – not least considering some of the internationals intend to play both at the tournament in Germany, and back home at the Olympics next year.
France player ratings:
Mike Maignan, 6 – France’s new number one was very rarely called into action, but was an assured presence when the Greeks did move up the pitch and duly held on to every shot that came his way.
Jules Koundé, 5
Ibrahima Konaté, 7 – As if it wasn’t already clear by now, the Liverpool man and Dayot Upamecano are the future of France’s defence. Imposing and unflinching, even with eleven men the visitors were unable to reach Mike Maignan’s goal.
Dayot Upamecano, 7
Théo Hernandez, 5
Aurélien Tchouaméni, 6
Eduardo Camavinga, 6 – France’s best midfielder tonight, and it’s clear why he wants move away from the left-back role – assured in bringing the ball up the pitch and effectively combining with teammates across the forward line, and able to help out defensively too.
Antoine Griezmann, 5
Kylian Mbappé, 6 – Breezed past the Greek defence with ease on several occasions in the first half, but was ultimately unable to find Kolo Muani. Scored the only goal of the match from the spot at the second time of asking, and was involved in most France attacks.
Randal Kolo Muani, 5 – The Eintracht Frankfurt forward saw few opportunities come his way, but he did show that he could be an effective alternative to Olivier Giroud’s target man profile. The best example of that came with his breakthrough that led to Mavropanos’ red card, with the Greek defender cutting down the striker as he was bearing down on the goalkeeper.
Kingsley Coman, 6 – The most incisive of Les Bleus’ front three in the first half, but never quite releasing the ball on time for his runs to have any tangible impact – save for the through ball that led to the Greek red card.
Substitutes: Ousmane Dembélé, Christopher Nkunku, Olivier Giroud.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
