Hello Frenchman.......and women. 1998, gee 20 years ago already. Man time does fly. I get the feel again that this year, this world cup, has your name written allover it. I thought you guys had the Euro's last time around and I was wrong, but I feel at the back of that burning defeat that the loss will stir you guys on and propel you to go one further in 2018. I only just realised this but look at how well you've fared on European soil at world cups, particularly in recent footballing history but also in other cups gone by. 2006 in Germany - Runners up losing only on penalty kicks to guess who, my beloved nation { we suck now I know } 1998 on home soil - winners. Look at that right there. The last two world cups on European soil and you have made the final each time winning one and losing one. I'm not just saying you will win the world cup due to these factors, of course not. But they're good factors to have in your favour. If you go back further still at Spain 82, You guys made the semi finals losing to West Germany on penalties. You didn't participate at Italia 90 but the ones you qualified for you put in a tremendous showing. 3 world cups qualified for in europe, semi finals or finals. I believe you have the best squad out of any nation. Mbappe, Griezmann, Pogba, these guys are elite attacking creative world class talent that play for big European clubs. Martial for Man U is electic and Lemar is also one to look out for. Giroud can score as he did at the Euros, and then you have Kante and Matuidi in midfield who are workhorses and can stop anything in their tracks. Umtiti, Rabiot, Kurzawa, Varane. Solid players and also at big clubs. France were the best team at Euros imo. You guys should have won and were majorly unlucky in the final. Giroud at the end hitting the post, Griezmann missing a header or two, one a guilt edged chance. Portugal weren't the best team in the final or even at the Euros. They rode their luck and got lucky. I think the heartache of that defeat will push you one further in Russia and I see you guys maintaining your edge over Brazil who you've knocked out in 1986, 1998 and 2006. I think your squad is better than Brazil's but irrespective of that would beat them anyway due to your style, your wood over them and it being a one off game. Being played on European soil is also a very good advantage to have. You will eliminate Brazil in the semi finals. From that point on you would think you would play Germany in the final but I'm tipping Argentina to end their hoodoo against the Germans and play you guys. To be honest, I think it would be better to play Germany because you would hold a psychological advantage over them from the semi final defeat and you just match up well with them and have good results in recent years { talking about friendlies to be more specific and friendlies against Germany are not friendlies if you understand what I'm saying } I know Germany or West Germany knocked you guys out in the 82 and 86 semi finals. Argentina for me are a tournament side I don't care how they fare leading up to it. I tipped them to lose to Germany last world cup and I know they got smashed 6-1 by Spain but I do not take any notice. Portugal lost to England in a friendly before euro 16 and won it and lost twice in friendlies to you guys as part of France's preparation for the cup. Like Italy once they're there they usually go to quarters or farther. I would not like to be playing against Messi in a world cup final particularly at this stage of his career and after losing the last one. In any case, I have France winning the world cup but beware of Argentina as they're your greatest danger. Not Germany, Not Brazil, but Argentina who you could meet in the final. It's you guys in the final vs Germany, who you will beat. Or Argentina. I have to tip you guys but I would be tempted to hedge my bet if you played Messi. If you meet Germany, the cups is yours.
“France were the best team at Euros imo. You guys should have won and were majorly unlucky in the final.” Reviewing the film, I think they were the best team after the penalty in the semis. World Cup 2018: France will top their group. Only Peru with a physical game will pose them any problems at that stage. Then they will win their r16 against Nigeria (repeat of 2014) or Croatia. I doubt they will meet Spain here in the quarterfinals. They can beat Uruguay, but what if they come up against an inspired Portugal or Egypt or worse a crazy stadium of Russians supporting the home team. But they are the favorites still in all those situations. Next up Belgium, Colombia, Brazil, or Mexico. To quote Roberto Carlos “France again!” They got the mental edge here. But that matchup would be a battle. Colombia and Mexico probably don’t pose a large threat though both teams are not going down without a fight. Belgium would be a fun game. I’d say it would be 50:50. Finally... Spain Argentina or Germany. I think both Spain and Germany’s organized play might pose the biggest threat as France’s starters don’t play on any club team together... sort of on psg. The most fun matchup would be with Argentina. Run and Gun game with sketchy defending outside backs. Kante probably could neutralize Messi making it a boring game though. Anyways good luck Les Bleus
Great WC win for France, finally played the way their talent on paper suggests... good play after group stage by getting past Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium and Croatia for the glory. Unlucky for Croatia though, much respect for them. Great tournament France !!!
It's been two weeks since we won the second star, and I'm still in a state of bliss. I'm not sure if this one is sweeter than 1998. They say that the first one is always special, but winning a World Cup on foreign soil is no mean feat. This was a strange World Cup. France were fourth favorites in a list that included Brazil, Germany, Spain, and Argentina. Going into the tournament, all five of these teams seemed to have their issues and didn't exactly seem invincible. I thought France were very strong on paper, although I felt that their relative inexperience could prove problematic in the latter stages. I was really looking forward to seeing Sidibe and Mendy use their pace to join the likes of Griezmann, Pogba, and Mbappe in attack. In the end, we had to make do with Hernandez and Pavard, and they didn't disappoint. Varane put all his Champions League-winning experience to great use in neutralizing opposition strikers. In goal, Lloris had some great moments -- three clean sheets isn't too bad. Kante enhanced his reputation further by being an effective shield in front of the defense. He made a resounding case for the old school holding midfielder to make a return in top level football. Pogba emerged as a real leader. He was involved in a lot of the attacking moves which resulted in goals. Griezmann proved once again that he is a man for big moments. The nonchalance with which he converted crucial penalties versus Argentina and Croatia was impressive. I thought he looked tired going into the World Cup, but he came to life when his team needed him. Finally, Mbappe really seized the opportunity to announce himself on the global stage. He really should have scored a hat-trick versus Argentina. His goal in the Final should have been the icing on the cake had it not been for Lloris's unbelievable howler. I genuinely think that Mbappe will go on to break Thierry Henry's goalscoring record for Les Bleus. He has everything to become one of the best strikers to have ever played the beautiful game, and he's only 19! Inevitably, comparisons will continue to be made between this 2018 team and their predecessors of 1998. The game has changed so much over the last twenty years -- it's really a case of apples versus oranges. I think this team was a lot more self-aware than the Zidane generation. When watching Youtube videos of Griezmann and co during the tournament, I couldn't help feeling like they were a band of classmates on a summertime excursion. They were always so relaxed and didn't take themselves too seriously. Mbappe epitomized this mindset. The guys from 1998 always appeared very serious and mature. Moving forward, the future looks very bright. With the exception of Giroud, Matuidi, Rami, Mandanda, and maybe N'Zonzi, the overwhelming majority of these guys should still be around for Qatar 2022. Their challenge over these next few years will be to keep growing and perfecting their craft. Deschamps will need to ensure that these guys don't become overconfident and don't allow their growing egos to create rifts within the group. Looking at other contenders for 2022, it seems that the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina will all be undergoing different stages of a rebuilding phase. France will have more experience and continuity on their side. Even at this early stage, I feel like the only team that can stop them from adding that third star is themselves.