Les Bleus won another friendly versus Armenia this time,( 3-0 )and demonstrated that they can be efficient if not transcendent.  Marseille’s forward, André-Pierre Gignac Ligue 1 topscorer showed his excellent form and his will to retrieve a permanent place in France’s squad.

After a good start the Armenian team without five of their most important players gave gradually up and left the game and the pitch free for the french players. Didier Deschamps’s team was changed too;only three players from the  precedent game versus Portugal (2-1) but Gignac’s rage on each ball, gave the french an early goal, justifying Armenia’s Suisse manager comments, about this friendly being”a match de merde”.

Man of the Match: André- Pierre Gignac : 8/1O 

Five long years; that was the last time that the french forward scored with les Bleus, but in this game he gave everything and shone from start to finish. Not only he was successful scoring the penalty, but he offered one goal to Loic Rémy (7th) and another to Griezmann(84th) after a sublime opening. A great match, but will it be sufficient to threat Arsenal’s  Giroud ? (injured)

Steve Mandanda (GK) 6.5/10

For his second appearance, the Phocian goalkeeper gave the same solid performance. Tested twice he showed his good shape,reassuring France’s staff in absence of number one choice, Hugo Lloris(injured)

Christophe Jallet 5/10

The Lyon’s man had his chance but blew it; he gave the bare minimum, made several fouls and left no great memories, but two good centres.(33rd) and (58th)

Raphael Varane 7.5/10

The twenty-one year player was equal to himself; clean and effective. He was perfect in defending, less in attacking( did Deschamps ask him, not to?) He recovered the captain’s armband after Mathuidi’s exit, thus making him the youngest France’s skipper of all time !

Jérémy Mathieu 6/10

Barcelona’s man, didn’t convince; he started slowly but had some good play in the air and gave a good cross to Gignac for the opener. He was much quieter during the second half, nevertheless he’ll need to do more if he wants to secure his place beside Varane.

Lucas Digne 6/10

Too young, too inexperienced for the senior team? Very active during the first half but failed to threaten seriously his opponents.Need to be better in defending, too.

Morgan Schneiderlin  5.5/10

During the first half he suffered against  the Armenia’s forwards and made several bad decisions. Better in the second half but the game had slowed down because of his opponents surrender .

Blaise Mathuidi 5.5/10

The minimum rate for the Parisian player; he run a lot, but he also made some errors. Less offensive, maybe the system of 4-2-3-1 wasn’t his cup of tea? He was replaced at halftime by Pogba.

Paul Pogba 7.5/10

The bianconeri player’s entrance, changed the game; only eight minutes after coming in, he eliminated three players and gained a penalty,( transformed by Gignac), thus giving France the break.What can one say, but that  he’s the present and the future of the french squad?

Loic Rémy 7/10

Interesting game, from Chelsea’s player; one goal, one post hit and some other good situations. Replaced by Mathieu Valbuena , fifteen minutes before the end of the game.

Moussa Sissoko 4.5/10

He didn’t try hard enough; his performance needs to be refined, for Deschamps wants more fighting spirit from his players. Replaced by Griezmann after the hour mark.

Antoine Griezmann 6.5/10

Very good entry; the Atletico’s player, was quick, activ and got his reward by scoring the third goal, on Gignac’s brilliant opening.

Dimitri Payet  5/10

Payet, as Gignac had something to prove, but he didn’t impress as his teammate did. He started well, but lost his stamina very quickly. Got subbed by Cabella, at the hour mark.

Here’s the game’s highlights:

Categories: Analysis, EURO 2016, opinion

Tags: EURO 2016