Sissoko Vindicating Deschamps’ Selection Ahead of Euro 2016 Final
Didier Deschamps’ decision to include Moussa Sissoko in his France squad for Euro 2016 in favour of Hatem Ben Arfa left the majority of the host nation a little frustrated. While Ben Arfa’s dazzling performances in Ligue 1 last season saw him secure a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Sissoko was part of a dour Newcastle side that was relegated to the Championship.
Ben Arfa scored 17 goals and registered six assists for Nice in Ligue 1 last season and completed more dribbles than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues (152). The 29-year-old’s performances would have made him an indispensible player for most national team managers this summer, but Deschamps couldn’t even find a place for him in his 23-man squad.
France, however, are now only 90 minutes away from winning their first major tournament since Euro 2000 and the controversy that surrounded Ben Arfa’s omission is a thing of the past. On paper Ben Arfa’s trickery and direct threat could have proved the perfect solution to breaking down a Germany side that had yet to concede a goal from open play in the tournament prior to their semi-final clash.
As it were, France were rather fortuitous in the build up to both goals. A moment of madness from captain Bastian Schweinsteiger presented Antoine Griezmann his first and an uncharacteristic flap from Manuel Neuer gave him his second. Instead, France’s victory was underpinned by tremendous effort, heart and moments of luck, not least encapsulated by the tireless performance of Sissoko.
It’s of no surprise that of the forward players for France, other than goalscoring hero Griezmann (9.76 rating), Sissoko was the next highest rated (6.95). Neither Dimitri Payet nor Olivier Giroud were able to really influence proceedings as Germany enjoyed 68% possession of the ball. More than a third of the match (36%) was spent in France’s defensive third as Germany completed more than double the amount of passes the hosts managed.
It was in this scenario where Sissoko’s desire to help Bacary Sagna at right-back proved invaluable in limiting Jonas Hector and Julian Draxler’s influence down Germany’s left. The fact Draxler completed more tackles (4) than he did dribbles and key passes combined (3) would shed further light on a frustrating evening for the creator. Both were among Die Mannschaft’s lowest rated players and it was a surprise that Joachim Low’s side were incessant on attacking down that flank when Sissoko was so willing to help out at the back for his country (39% of Germany’s attacks were down their left).
In fact, there was one instance early in the second half where Sissoko had successfully wrestled the ball away from Draxler on the byline only for the Germany No.11 to chop him down in frustration and receive a yellow for his efforts. Sissoko then received a standing ovation from the French fans in the right hand corner after he successfully forced Hector to poke the ball behind for a goal kick with minutes remaining.
It was in these isolated moments where you began to appreciate why Sissoko has become such a fixture of Deschamps’ plans during his four years as France manager and why there wasn’t a place for Ben Arfa in the squad despite his obvious offensive threat. Sissoko was an unused substitute when Germany dumped France out of last eight of the 2014 World Cup but proved pivotal in their success here.
No France player completed more tackles against Germany than Sissoko (3), but it was also his unnerving presence in possession that was crucial in helping limit the flow of Germany’s attacks. Only three outfielders had more touches for France than Sissoko (46) and only two attempted more passes (Sissoko – 31), but on only two occasions did he opt to clear long. Instead, a pass success rate of 87.1% - all the more impressive when you consider he averaged 76% in the Premier League last season – ranked topped for France from those that attempted more than 20 passes.
Sissoko’s introduction to the team during the knockout stages has admittedly been born out of Deschamps’ desire to get Griezmann playing in a more central role but the fact he has been selected over Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial is telling. Sissoko’s average positioning against Germany was almost as deep as Sagna’s but that didn’t prevent him from joining in on France’s counter attacks. Sissoko could have been left one-on-one with Neuer on two occasions but Griezmann and Payet both opted for goal, unsuccessfully.
Now, however, they are into the final. It's France’s first in a major tournament in a decade where they will face a completely new proposition against a dogged Portugal side. Less than half of Sissoko’s touches were in Germany’s half but he can be expected to be more involved in the final third in a contest where both teams should enjoy spells of possession. Given Sissoko ranks in the top five for dribbles completed (242) and key passes from open play (175) in the last three Premier League campaigns, the Newcastle midfielder also possess the tools to hurt Portugal going forward. Sissoko may not be the exciting player of this France team, but he could yet prove one of their most effective on Sunday.
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