The French national team snatched a ticket to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a very boring match that the Blues did not necessarily contribute to making it more exciting. The foreign press did not miss the opportunity to criticize the way the Blues played, who still lacked attacking inspiration. A bad habit since the beginning of the tournament.
France reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 by eliminating Portugal on penalties (0-0, 5-3 tab) after a “slow, boring and dull” match. The European press as a whole sees the French team's qualification to the semi-finals as Didier Deschamps' trademark. The inaction of his approach does not win fans among fans of the game.
“France are playing badly. Not better, not worse, ugly. It was like that when they lifted the 2018 World Cup, and now in Germany when they have the best team in the tournament.” “How Deschamps wants it to happen,” criticised Spanish daily El Mundo, the Blues' next opponent in the European Championship.
France 'did not deserve to qualify'
After being disappointed by the Selecao's elimination, the daily A Bola can't forget facing a French team that “doesn't convince anyone”. “Didier Deschamps' team beat Portugal in Hamburg, but they may find it hard to remember the last goal they scored in the Euros,” roars the Portuguese daily.
“Under Deschamps, France have won too many games without deserved it,” said another Spanish newspaper, El País, indignantly, fearing being chosen against a French team that has given up too much on football. La Roja, although very sedated since the sending-off of the competition, is not a loser and could well break the teeth on the French team's iron backline. The Blues' only asset in this competition.
Because for the rest, “it's not a pretty sight”, criticizes Chris Sutton in England. The former England international believes that France “doesn't deserve to qualify”. Marca, which, like Vanguardia, suffered a “very nice” and “hard to digest” first period, said that “France offered less than their opponent”.
“They didn't do much to convince them.”
And if the Guardian, like others, felt a clear resurgence of interest in the spectacle presented in the second half, “the whole evening was marked by anxiety, nervousness and tension more suited to a final,” the British newspaper deplores. “The French may have lacked fluidity and flair, but Didier Deschamps’ team are still in the game,” the Daily Mail confirms.
“They are strong defensively, with a trio of ball-winning midfielders in front of the back four, but they sometimes lack imagination in attack,” the paper added. There was repeated criticism at the end of the match as the Blues lacked attacking imagination and rarely managed to create any danger.
The BBC noted coolly: “They have done little to convince the fans that they can beat an impressive Spanish side in their next match.” The Blues are nearing the top of the Euros, but their popularity abroad is not at its highest.
