The British newspaper *The Guardian* has delivered a scathing assessment of France’s exit from the tournament, arguing that the team is now playing “anti-football”.
*The Guardian* writes: “This is not football, France are not playing football. This is a waste of time, a waste of ability, a waste of talent. It is a pure, unadulterated squandering of potential.”
“One of the most curious aspects of this French team is their softness. They rarely control games, seem to have forgotten how to accelerate. This was billed before the game as a clash of styles, the Spanish new-wave against the French structure of solidity.”
“That’s curious, because French football is not like this. France produce more talented footballers than any other nation. France is not England, where the emergence of talent is seen as a God-given gift. France’s dominance has been self-made, the product of an outstanding youth and development system. Deschamps remains stubbornly defensive, with three defensive midfielders, but they still gave up the lead. Seven defensive players in the team still couldn’t stop Olmo scoring.”
“That’s the thing. France aren’t playing on any other level. A team of brilliant players are trapped within their system. Under Deschamps, they look like a team with their backs against the wall. By comparison, whoever faces Spain in the final will find a team that is not only a well-oiled machine but also possesses a rare, carefully calibrated freedom.”
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