In what was arguably the most boring game of the 2018 World Cup so far, France faced Denmark in a Group C tie that would determine who finished first and second, or even third place within the group.
Resting both forward Kylian Mbappe and midfielder Paul Pogba, France started the match in a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 shape, with Steven N’Zonzi partnering the dynamic yet nimble Ngolo Kante in a double pivot that was be far more disciplined than one that has included Paul Pogba. Makeshift winger Blaise Matuidi was replaced by Thomas Lemar on the left-side of midfield – a rather different profile. The switch was actually surprising given Matuidi’s necessary discipline on the flank.
Denmark, on the other hand, deployed a 4-1-4-1 shape which seemed much more like a 5-4-1/3-4-3 in some instances when France had the ball, as Andreas Christensen would drop alongside the two centre-backs, and the full-backs movement in defensive transitions varied. In comparison with previous group games, Denmark’s starting XI seemed that much more defensive.
France attacked Denmark’s very organised defence through combinations in wide areas. The full-back pairing of Djibril Sidibe and Lucas Hernandez would often push forward making both overlapping and underlapping runs ahead of the wingers. The wingers – Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Lemar, particularly Dembele due to his comfortability with both feet, would often cut inside to influence play in the centre, and offer space for the full-backs to overlap. The issue with France aiming to break down Denmark – who were playing a low-block while attacking through the flanks, was that whenever France were in the final-third with the ball out wide, France lacked numbers in the penalty area to dismantle the shape of Denmark’s low-block/receive crosses from wide positions. France’s subsequent lack of crosses made attacking through wide positions somewhat ineffective. This suggested a lack of continuity in France’s attack. To add, Dembele’s infield movement from the right-flank was often met by an opposition player quick to close Dembele down, and would thus force wasteful shots from range.
When not in possession of the ball, Denmark deployed a low-block that stifled France’s attack, though I think France’s attack caused it’s own downfall, too. Though Denmark closed down space well and always made sure to have many numbers in the box when necessary, France’s attacks through the flanks and lack of runs and numbers in the box only benefited Denmark’s game plan. Denmark played a 5-4-1-ish shape when France were countering and this shape was supported by the Denmark wingers (Martin Braithwaite and Pione Sisto) tracking back to support the full-backs against France’s right and left-sided duos. Denmark’s frontline also did well to press the space between France’s defence and midfield, which forced quicker releases of the ball from the centre-backs and midfield players. Denmark’s defensive tactics in this game also meant a more defensive role for Christian Erisken then that generally expected for the Danes. Erisken played alongside Thomas Delaney in a centre-midfield position, and contributed to the aforementioned press of certain spaces. When Denmark did attack, they mainly attacked through the right-side, with Erisken having more freedom when Denmark had the ball. Braithwaite caused issues for the France defence with his runs into space left vacant by Hernandez who was often higher up the pitch.
As well as Denmark’s game plan simply benefiting from France’s, France’s misadventures in this game were also shown through Antoine Griezmann’s lack of involvement in play. Griezmann was positioned in behind lead centre-forward Olivier Giroud, but Griezmann was very much isolated because of both tactical game plans from either side. France’s lack of crosses from out wide restricted the impact of Griezmann’s runs into the box. Is there really a point in attacking from wide areas without a significant amount of *effective* crosses? There was also an issue in Olivier Giroud being unable to hold onto possession to bring others into play. I do think Griezmann and Giroud can work well together, but certainly not in a 4-2-3-1 as they have vs Denmark. But, Pogba and Mbappe, if having started would have certainly bolstered France’s play in the box and during counter-attacks as both had done in France’s previous group games. The most exciting moment of the game, a Griezmann break was cut short by a really annoying “tactical foul”.
Kylian Mbappe, as well as Nabil Fekir came on as substitutes during the second-half, but were not able to make any significant difference in a short space of time and even though this game was not a match that France *had* to win, it seems as if there could be issues in knockout stages in regards to France’s attacking patterns against certain sides/if certain players do not play. Though having sailed through their group, France, like many other World Cup favourites, have experienced issues in their attacking patterns, and have lacked certainty in tactics attack-wise.
France’s double-pivot of Kante and N’Zonzi was far too conservative, in my opinion. They retained their positions when France were on the attack in case Denmark retrieved possession and began an attack of their own, but both midfield players were in unison with the wide play in the sense that it did not contribute to much positive outcome. Both kept the ball well, but even Kante’s neat short-distanced dribbles were restricted, but this was down to Denmark’s excellent organisation, too.
In conclusion, the 0-0 scoreline meant both sides progressed to the second-round, but I would expect more invention and movement from France if they are to win this tournament. Pogba and Mbappe do need to start, even if it does mean less tactical maturity.
The Conventional Playmaker 