Germany – France (2-1) – The Blues’ notes: Todibo all wrong, Pavard in the fog

Machine-gunned by Thomas Müller after four minutes of play, shot by Leroy Sané at the end of the match, he also had an uneventful evening. Not always calm on short restarts at the very start of the match.

• In short… No exploit this time.

He lacked aggressiveness on the opener and had great difficulty against Serge Gnabry, defending by going backwards, and Benjamin Henrichs. If he gave balls in the right areas to Kinglsey Coman, he also missed numerous restarts in the second half. Always so cramped on this right side, he never brought danger or in a too messy way.

Replaced by Jules Koundé (65th)

Difficult entry into the big world. For his first, Todibo really suffered. The Nice player lacked spontaneity and increased his touches on the ball. His control for too long offered a golden counter to the Germans (18th). But above all, he completely misses his recovery which offers the second German goal.

• In short… A little nightmare.

Clearly, the Gunner is having a hard time measuring the French team. Saliba once again experienced a sluggish selection. He forgot Thomas Müller on the opener then let himself be overcome by stress. The former Stéphanois missed easy restarts. A good burst to his credit (14th), it’s too little to hope to shake up a hierarchy well established in the axis.

• In short : We are still waiting for his reference match.

Where did last Thursday’s buffalo go? Harmless, his crosses lacked precision and he does not have the same impact when he starts from a standstill. It still cost a big thrill on a very questionable lineup. And where is he on the second German goal and the tumble of Leroy Sané on his side?

• In short… The dark side of Théo Hernandez.

Late on the opening score, he left too much space for Thomas Müller. So comfortable at Real Madrid, he lacked foresight and lost too many balls in midfield. He causes a penalty on a good hook.

Like the others, he suffered at the start of the match by scattering his efforts in front of his defense. His good return on a German counterattack (18th) put him back in his match. From then on, it was he who allowed the Blues to regain control of the ball through his activity and availability. He chained the chances on three consecutive headers. But above all he put Marc-André Ter-Stegen in difficulty with a shot full of vice (58th).

• In short… The best of the Blues.

He first suffered harsh contact from his opponents and disappeared from the passing circuits. The Turin player only touched 33 balls, which says everything about his influence this evening. In the fight, he barely compensated in a position, left midfielder, which does not reflect his qualities.

Replaced by Youssouf Fofana (78th).

Eaten by Henrichs at the start of the match, it took him a good 25 minutes to get into his match and start moving forward. His beautiful opening for Kolo Muani (20th) could have brightened up his otherwise difficult evening. Always too messy when it comes to concluding his actions.

• In short… Definitely behind for several months in selection.

Replaced for Ousmane Dembélé (65th)

Absent from the debates for an hour, he suffered as much from the lack of racing from his teammates as from his inability to be in the right place at the right time. As against Ireland, it gained in depth as the match progressed but never really weighed on the course of the match. The fault, perhaps, is a higher positioning or, more surely, palpable fatigue. After a header off target (59th) and a well-felt shot (83rd), he deserves to convert the penalty.

• In short… We must no longer take him out of midfield.

We wonder how he couldn’t get a penalty on Rüdiger’s stroller (20th). He didn’t have much ammunition and, if he was restless, he also lost his support on his best opportunity (58th). He lacks rhythm and it showed.

• In short… To match Giroud, we will have to show more.

Replaced by Marcus Thuram (65th)