France seeks Euro revenge against Spain
France and Spain are set to meet in a World Cup semi-final match in Dallas, a fixture that brings back memories of their previous encounters. This upcoming game follows their clash in the Euro 2024 semi-final, where Spain emerged victorious. France midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery expressed his team’s desire for revenge, stating, “We have a different team, to my mind. We are ready. We want to win against Spain and get our revenge for the Euros.”
Zaïre-Emery, who made his major tournament debut in France’s quarter-final win against Morocco, emphasized the team’s unity and diverse backgrounds. He noted that the team is a united group, happy to be together, which is what truly matters. Despite past defeats, including a 5-4 loss in a Nations League semi-final last June, the focus is on the present match.
Didier Deschamps, the France head coach, downplayed the idea of revenge, stating that “There is no lesson to be learned. It will be a battle of wills. There’s no revenge, the past is in the past. I’m focused on tomorrow’s match.” He also confirmed that Kylian Mbappé, who sustained an ankle knock against Morocco, trained and is available for selection, participating in a drill for a reduced time.
There is a possibility of one change to France‘s lineup, with Aurélien Tchouaméni potentially replacing Manu Koné if deemed fit after a muscle injury. Tchouaméni has missed the last two games but is now available. Deschamps has consistently labelled Spain as the favourites for the tie, an assessment he reiterated, noting that Spain has confirmed their status since their initial game against Cape Verde.
Tactical approaches for the semi-final
The upcoming semi-final features two of the top-ranked teams in the world, with France aiming to reach their third consecutive World Cup final, a feat previously achieved by Germany and Brazil. Spain, the reigning European champions, are making only their second appearance in the last four of the tournament. This encounter is seen as a familiar one, drawing comparisons to other historically significant football rivalries.
France‘s attacking prowess is a key factor, with the team being the tournament’s second-highest scorers, recording the most shots on target and the highest expected-goals value. Kylian Mbappé, their captain and leading scorer, is tied for the Golden Boot. The team also boasts a diverse range of goal-scorers, indicating that they are not solely reliant on one player.
Spain, on the other hand, is known for its control and possession-based style of play, which has resulted in an unmatched average possession share in the tournament. Their patient build-up serves a dual purpose: enabling them to create opportunities in the final third, with an 83.9% accuracy in passes in the ‘end zone’, and contributing to an exemplary defensive record by limiting opposition possession. This tactical approach is seen as crucial for containing France‘s formidable attack.
Key players for Spain include Rodri and Lamine Yamal, who are instrumental in their dynamic style of play, allowing for quicker vertical transitions and creating one-on-one situations for dangerous wingers. Rodri and Pedri are expected to dominate the midfield, supported by Dani Olmo, which could outnumber France‘s two-man midfield, likely comprising Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot.
Despite Spain‘s tactical strengths, their creative edge has only been seen in flashes during the tournament, with players like Lamine Yamal being relatively quiet and Nico Williams limited by injury. Substitute Mikel Merino has been crucial in their wins against Portugal and Belgium. However, Spain‘s balanced blend of tactical supremacy and technical mastery, guided by coach Luis de la Fuente, makes them a strong contender to reach their first final since their only World Cup win in 2010.
The match between France and Spain is scheduled for Tuesday.
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Source: theguardian.com