He was the hero of the places, the legend of Ajax. In Amsterdam, on Friday, the Blues will face the Netherlands in a context that probably overwrite issues a friendly game like no other. All spirits of the Amsterdam ArenA will be on Johan Cruyff, the legendary playmaker of Ajax and Orange , died Thursday following a long illness.
The 51,000 spectators expected a tribute will undoubtedly vibrant and moving to their idol of all time, the one who placed their city on the map of European football in the early 1970. The flags are already at half mast around the ArenA and no doubt that the homage of the Dutch public before and during the game will live up to the huge career triple Ballon d’or. Especially during the minute of silence in the 14th minute of the match. 14 as his legendary number.
Shopping Ajax Amsterdam – AFP
The context was already heavy after the attacks of Brussels, at 215 kilometers from Amsterdam, who made 31 dead and over 300 wounded Tuesday and revived the Blues to the painful memory of those of 13 November 2015 in Paris and around the Stadium of France for France-Germany (2-0). The disappearance of Cruyff will probably add a little more solemnity to the event. “ We take the news hard by times but we made sure to stay focused on our subject ,” responded Didier Deschamps Thursday.
The list in the minds
The Blues will ignore the environment because for them, much more than their hosts, the challenge is not small. If the Batavians have managed the feat of not qualifying for the first European Championship to 24 teams in history, Deschamps’ men are less than 80 days to kick off their Euro. And if a performance-cons would task the main issue of the meeting, no offense to Deschamps, is less on the collective result than individual benefits. The final list will be delivered on May 12 and there are only two games Deschamps for tweaking.
In the absence of Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena, the coach has to patch up an attack. This Friday, it will align what he considers his team guy. As to Germany, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Anthony Martial should be aligned peak of 4-3-3. The first must show that it has the makings of a leader, his second bad time at Arsenal does not rub off on his often honorable benefits selection and third it is the best remedy before the host of contenders ( Payet, Coman, Ben Arfa to name a few).
Olivier Giroud, who scored in France – Germany (2-0) on 13 November 2015 at the Stade de France. – Panoramic
A boost to preserve
In defense, Steve Mandanda, rewarded for his good pass to OM, and Christophe Jallet, who benefits from the package Sagna, start the game. But it is mainly the performance-Varane Koscielny will hinge scrutinized. The Spaniard is struggling club and Gunner is always balanced Sakho for the Euro. The only certainty in this eleven where absentees and poor form blurred draw, midfielder serves as a compass around a trio of strong men: Pogba-Diarra-Matuidi.
If each individual provision be peeled three months of the Euro, for Deschamps, the important thing is to maintain the momentum. Of the last seven months, the Blues were beaten only once (at Wembley in a match where the result mattered little) against five wins, two of which face prestigious opponents (Portugal, Germany). “ I do not play a game to test ” recalled DD. “ Although it is only a friendly, the goal remains to win. ” The hour is no longer experiences. In Amsterdam, the Blues go in search of certainties.
Didier Deschamps during a workout – AFP
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