Should Kante Regain Starting Berth for France Against Germany?
Any doubts over whether Iceland could spring an upset against hosts France on Sunday were quickly put to rest. While the Nordic island nation had won countless admirers during their time at Euro 2016 as the plucky underdogs fought hard to secure a spot at the quarter-final stage of the tournament, a meeting with France in Paris proved to be a bridge too far for Iceland.
Les Bleus, who had failed to score in the first half of the European Championship prior to the meeting with Iceland, were 4-0 ahead at the interval and cruising. Ultimately, a 5-2 win confirmed France’s place in the next round of Euro 2016, setting up a meeting with Germany. Thursday’s clash will be the first time the two teams have met since the atrocities in Paris back in November and competitively after Germany won 1-0 in their path to World Cup glory over two years ago in Brazil.
Their aim now is to become the third team to hold both the World Cup and European Championship at the same time, following in the footsteps of Thursday’s opponents France and Spain. Their path to glory, though, is all the more difficult given their current circumstances. Not only do France stand in their way, but a host of injury and suspension concerns hinder Germany’s chances of a place in the final.
France, though, are not without their selection doubts. Olivier Giroud, who netted a brace against Iceland, is carrying a knee problem, while Didier Deschamps welcomes back Adil Rami and N’Golo Kante following suspension. The pair were banned for the win over Iceland, but come back into the reckoning for Thursday’s encounter and Deschamps now has a selection headache to deal with.
Samuel Umtiti put in an assured debut performance alongside Laurent Koscielny, though Rami had started all four of France’s Euro 2016 games prior to his suspension. Kante, meanwhile, featured from the off in three of the four games before being forced to miss the win over Iceland, sitting out the 0-0 draw with Switzerland after France’s progression had been confirmed. However, having been hauled off at half time of the 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland, it remains to be seen whether Kante will come back into the starting XI this week.
While the Leicester star was one of the most impressive performers on the continent last season, making more tackles and interceptions combined (331), France were a far more fluid attacking outfit in the second half against Republic of Ireland and again against Iceland in his absence. The difference between the pair and Germany, however, is the obvious talent running through Die Mannschaft compared to the aforementioned duo, with all due respect to Republic of Ireland and Iceland.
The pair would happily sit back and soak up pressure before hitting teams on the counter, noted in their respective average possession of 43.2% and 36.1%, both of which rank 21st and 24th at Euro 2016. Germany, on the other hand, rather than sit deep and hit teams on the counter, take games to the opposition having averaged more possession (63%) than any other team at Euro 2016. They have made their opponents work for the ball and picked them off at a whim, but will undoubtedly face their toughest test against France on Thursday.
Deschamps’ side have averaged a respectable 57.2% possession at Euro 2016 so far and, unlike Germany’s opponents so far this summer, are not expected to sit deep against world champions. However, it brings to light the problem over whether Deschamps will alter a winning formula or make changes once more. In Kante, he has at his disposal one of the finest players to shield the defence on the continent. While his services were not required against Republic of Ireland and Iceland given France’s dominance, against Germany, Deschamps will require the tough tackling midfielder to help stifle Jogi Loew’s offensive options.
The problem here, however, is that Deschamps would then be forced into moving Antoine Griezmann away from his favoured central berth into a wide role in a 4-3-3 formation. With Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi both expected to start in the middle of the park, this would see Moussa Sissoko drop out of the XI in place of Kante. Ultimately, it hinges on whether Deschamps approaches the encounter with caution or confidence.
Kante averages more interceptions per game (3.3) than any other France player, while only England (5.3) have attempted more through balls per game than Germany (4.8). Midfield lynchpin Toni Kroos alone ranks second for accurate through balls per game (0.6) at Euro 2016, and so cutting the supply between the lines is essential in order to limit the impact of Germany’s attack. Conversely, though, Kante’s re-introduction would likely see Griezmann moved to the right.
The Atletico Madrid star has made no secret of his desire to play more centrally for France and in turn the national team is benefitting from Griezmann behind the lead striker. He has scored more goals (4) than any other player at Euro 2016, three of which have come when he’s operated in the middle of the attack rather than on the right. All in all, Deschamps has a huge decision on his hands.
If he keeps with the same side that overcame Iceland, Germany have the ability to knock the hosts out at the semi-final stage, much like they did Brazil two years ago, particularly if France are caught short at the back. While it comes at a detriment to Griezmann’s influence, Deschamps would be foolish to overlook Kante in the middle of the park. If the game is tight as the minutes tick by, then the France boss can alter his tactics to help the team to victory, as he has done so regularly at Euro 2016. However, if he opts against Kante, his plan could backfire.
Germany’s record in semi-finals against tournament hosts is phenomenal having won their last six meetings against those that have staged the competition. Records are made to be broken, but it’s perhaps in France’s best interests to start Kante against Germany, even if it comes at the expense of Griezmann’s positional preference.
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