Thread by @pythaginboots

#FRAGER [TACTICAL THREAD]

Key Points:

⚽️France balance high press with backline dropping off
⚽️Germany too narrow, Kimmich not holding width and inside forwards lack pace to stretch game
⚽️Give Pogba space at your peril

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #FRA #GER #FranciaGermania

France were so difficult to break down. They did not just sit back and absorb pressure but kept Germany guessing by pressing with their forwards and Pogba... and dropping off defensively if they broke through.

This frustrated the Germans who could not settle into a rhythm.

Muller and Havertz were invisible in this system. Both need to be the focal point and here they were deployed as wide inside forwards.

They lacked the dynamism to stretch the game and with France defending narrowly, and Kimmich staying too central - they were ineffective.

As for the French goal... Germany's defending was truly comical. Rudiger was the wrong side of the game, Hummel's was just chasing the ball and Ginter pushed out to Benzema... leaving Kimmich alone to mark the far side of the pitch.

Gundogan also nowhere to be seen.

Let us see how this plays out. So many men around Pogba and not one of them makes an effective challenge.

French full backs always pick and choose when they attack carefully but they usually do so to devastating effect in big games as they take opponents by surprise.

Pogba 😍

Kroos and Kimmich were awful. Pogba and Mbappe given acres in devastating areas of the pitch. This cannot be sustained going forward if Germany are to progress.

Why is the world's biggest midfield talent aside from De Jong playing at right back? Drop Kroos... build for future.

Whilst Germany lost... could be a very positive result for them if they learn lessons from it and tweak the team accordingly. They have the squad to bounce back, but does the manager have the decisiveness to make the tough calls?

France are close to full strength. Only thing we can see more from them is how they can react if the game is not going to plan... how much mastery does Deschamps have over his subs and backup plans? keen to see how he uses the likes of Coman and Dembele when the chips are down.

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