From March fever to June caution, why France’s euphoria has faded | OneFootball

In March France were hailed as having two teams. Now the mood is cooler and a tepid build-up has replaced the euphoria. Didier Deschamps has worked to temper expectations and restore edge.

The USA tour brought wins over Brazil, 2-1, and Colombia, 3-1. Since then the starters won the first half against Ivory Coast before a 1-2 defeat, then Michael Olise hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.

Wary of excess, Deschamps urged humility in March and has tightened the message as the tournament nears. He corrected Rayan Cherki after a bold line in Nantes and phoned Lucas Hernandez in spring. “I called him afterwards. You should not say things like that. We have talented players, but young,” he told GQ.

On Friday at Bentley University, Hernandez smiled when asked about the favourites tag and said France have a superb side, but they are not the only ones.

He has also tweaked roles, reinstalling Dayot Upamecano on the right of central defence after months on the left, and shifting Olise to the right flank after a year largely spent centrally. It is his way of adapting and keeping players alert.

Uncertainty lingers over William Saliba’s back, Ousmane Dembélé’s form and potential shifts in hierarchy. Veterans know much can change between the first and second group games. France, first-rank favourites, do not quite know where they stand before Senegal on Tuesday 16 June, and the softer mood might yet help.

Source: L'Équipe