Didier Deschamps on Maghnes Akliouche: ‘He’s moved up a notch.’ | OneFootball

France’s match against Azerbaijan was more about point-scoring than it was about goal-scoring. With qualification for next summer’s FIFA World Cup secured ahead of the final game of the qualification campaign, thanks to a 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday, Sunday’s match in Azerbaijan was more about players proving a point. Maghnes Akliouche did just that. 

Didier Deschamps fielded a completely different XI to the one that beat Ukraine just days earlier, meaning that there were plenty of fringe players looking to stake a claim for a seat on the plane to North America next summer. 

Akliouche was called up by Deschamps for the first time in September, but made little impression. The France manager does not have a habit of only giving players one chance to prove their worth, and so he was called up again in October and with better results, as the AS Monaco forward registered an assist. 

Akliouche ‘opening up’ on France duty

He did better once again in November. Deschamps praised Akliouche (and Hugo Ekitiké) for making a difference off the bench against Ukraine, as the Monégasque netted an assist in that game. Against Azerbaijan, he netted his first goal for France and confirmed his growing confidence. 

A naturally shy character, he is now beginning to shine with Les Bleus. “He was quite introverted at the start, but he has opened up a bit. It was important for him to score today. He is trying to make the most of his game time,” said Deschamps post-match. “Even if there are lots of attacking players and lots of absentees, he has moved up a notch to be more decisive.”

Competition in the forward areas is intense, and whilst Akliouche is by no means guaranteed to feature in Deschamps’ World Cup squad, he has at least made an argument for inclusion.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle