France’s national team came back to the Stade de France ,  four and a half months after the game vs Germany and the atrocities in Paris and outside the Stadium. Players and supporters alike, celebrated their return with an outstanding, beautiful attacking football, happy again in the warm feeling of unity, the kind of  power  that only sport can give.

Security was tight; a double steel ring outside of the stadium, 1000 police and special units like snipers,  were on duty plus  1400 stewards that  checked the spectators with kindness but they also  were professional and positive. This didn’t  change the crowd’s good humor; the French were back in their stadium, their Home of Football and they enjoyed it.

The “Marseillaise” was sang , flags and scarfs waving in every tribune , despite a spring shower and after a very emotional minute of silence on behalf of Brussels victims, the game started and the fun too !

Birthday boys, N’Golo Kanté(Leicester) and Dimitri Payet(West Ham) scored one each, Mexico’s lover boy André-Pierre Gignac and Juventus loanee to Bayern Munich, Kingsley Coman too.

An average Russia team managed to score twice, every time taking advantage of french faults; two on target, two goals ! France’s Manager Didier Deschamps wasn’t very happy about this !

So how the players fared during the last game before both managers make public their list for the final stage ? Here’s the players ratings:

FRANCE

HUGO LLORIS (GK) : 5/10

A quiet evening for Tottenham’s and France’s Captain; did nothing wrong but conceded twice. Should be more commanding with his defenders.

MAMADOU SAHKO : 4,5/10

He did not dominate his opponents and was at fault allowing Zhirkov to bypass him and score Russia’s second.

RAPHAEL VARANE : 5/10

It seems that the Real Madrid’s defender is more at ease, when playing with Koscielny; had a quiet evening though.

PATRICE EVRA : 6/10

Solid in the game, even if the russian attack wasn’t very threatening; had some difficulty to combine with Martial and won the free-kick wich led to France’s second goal. Subbed due to injury.

BACARY SAGNA : 4,5/10

Quite good during the first half but faded as the second half went on; he was at fault for Russia’s second goal, allowing Chatov to bypass him. He combined  well once or twice with Griezmann, though.

PAUL POGBA : 6/10

He combined well, good work on the ball and was involved in Kanté’s goal.

LASSANA DIARRA : 7/10

Very good game from Marseille’s star; good in possession, worked well the ball and  dominated the defensive midfield area.

N’GOLO KANTE : 7,5/10

Very good performance for his first start for the national team; the Leicester player showed consistence, desire to push forward and intense, relentless pressing with or without the ball. Also scored a beauty;  what a way to celebrate his 25th birthday !

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN : 8/10

Two assists for France’s first two goals, the Atletico Madrid man showed again his vivacity and skill with the ball. He will be on Deschamps final list, without doubt.

ANTHONY MARTIAL : 5/10

Subbed at the interval,  he failed to show his usual good dispositions; was it Russians’  good marking, maybe but he was less dangerous than he was vs the Netherlands.

ANDRE-PIERRE GIGNAC : 6,5/10

What a wonderful header for France’s second goal from Griezmann free kick ! Held the ball well but will he be able to oust Arsenal’s Giroud from the final list ?

SUBSTITUTES:

Jérémy Mathieu (N/A)  Lucas Digne 3,5/10  Moussa Sissoko 5/10  Dimitri Payet 7,5/10   Olivier Giroud 5/10  Kingsley Coman 7/10

RUSSIA

IGOR AKINFEEV (GK) : 4/10

Beaten twice, he was subbed at the interval.

OLEG KUZMIN : 3,5/10

He tried a number of tackles, some good, some very bad and was responsable in Kanté’s opener.

ALEKSEI BEREZUTSKI :  4/10

Had difficulty to contain France’s attack force; couldn’t stop Griezmann nor Coman.

VASILI BEREZUTSKI : 4/10

He fared just as his twin brother Aleksei; unable to deal with Gignac and struggled to contain the french attacks.

OLEG SHATOV : 4,5/10

He set up Zhirov for Russia’s second goal, bar that …

ROMAN SHIROKOV : 5/10

Couldn’t stop either Kanté or Pogba;should help more his back line, but was unable to do it .

ALAN DZAGOEV: 5/10

Good assist for Kokorin’s goal but was unable to attack efficiently .

ALEKSANDR  GOLOVIN : 5/10

This is a promising teenager, but  he was unable to boss the Russian midfield; better positioning could help the youngster.

YURI ZHIRKOV : 6/10

Scored his second international goal, stranding Salho and dealing well with Martial.

ALEKSANDR KOKORIN : 6,5/10

A good goal at the start of the second period,good effort at the flank, but he was responsible for France’s second, conceding a silly free-kick.

ARTYOM DZYUBA  3/10

Poor game; that’s all.

SUBSTITUTES :

Juri Lodigyn 4,5/10   Igor Smolnikov 5/10   Alexander Samedov  N/A  Pavel Mamaev  4,5/10  Fyodor Smolov 4,5/10

The game’s Highlights :

Categories: Analysis, EURO 2016, opinion

Tags: Equipe de France, Euro 2016 Friendies, France vs Russia 4-2