Da Cunha - Jacquet impress on near-perfect France debuts in Belgium | OneFootball

According to Le Progres, Lucas Da Cunha and Jérémy Jacquet delivered assured France debuts as Belgium were beaten 1-0 in the Nations League in Brussels on Monday. Andy Diouf also won his first cap.

Little known domestically despite around 30 Ligue 1 outings, Da Cunha has blossomed with Como in Serie A. Repositioned deeper and made captain by Cesc Fabregas, the 25-year-old impressed at the King Baudouin Stadium with calm authority, making six recoveries, one preceding Michael Olise’s winner.

Operating in front of the defence with close to 100 touches, he controlled the game as a regista in the Andrea Pirlo mould. He showed anticipation and press resistance in a very different style to Manu Koné in Türkiye on Friday, while Zinédine Zidane praised the clarity and speed his deep-lying playmakers bring, noting Da Cunha executed the plan superbly.

Also a Rennes academy product, Jacquet has stepped into the Premier League this season and, after a physical adaptation, started brightly. Zidane, like Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, has long rated the centre-back, having followed him since youth selections alongside his son Elyaz.

Bondy-born, like Kylian Mbappé and William Saliba, the 21-year-old attacked his first cap with ferocity, overpowering Charles De Ketelaere and dominating duels. His line-breaking distribution and a strong partnership with Maxence Lacroix underpinned a commanding display, with Zidane satisfied his selections were vindicated.

With this statement showing, Jacquet has intensified competition at centre-back. A possible pairing with Dayot Upamecano against Italy this Friday at 20:45 would be worth a look.

Source: Le Progres

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