France Finds a New Star in Nations League Clash
A young French talent had an impressive showing in the Nations League that got people talking about a possible successor to an old favorite. France Uncover Next Big Star.
Antoine Griezmann retired from international play at the end of last year, but France is already looking ahead with Michael Olise, who made his debut right around the time Griezmann said goodbye. He played a key role in France’s exciting quarter-final match against Croatia.
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Olise Shines in New Position
In a gutsy move, coach Didier Deschamps put Olise in a free role behind Kylian Mbappe, giving him the chance to move around and control the game at Stade de France. This decision was smart; Olise scored his first senior goal for France with a fantastic free-kick and helped set up Ousmane Dembele’s equalizer just ten minutes before the end. France Uncover Next Big Star.
He may have been substituted before the second half of extra time, but his impact was clear as he helped France push the game to penalties and secure a spot in the next round.
A Big Season for Olise
Olise’s performance added to what’s been a great season for him. After moving from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich over the summer, he has really stepped up and shown he can handle the pressure.
Football analyst Julien Laurens called Olise’s game a coming-of-age moment, really proving he might be the long-term answer to replace Griezmann.
It felt like a real statement performance on the international stage, something we’ve been waiting to see from him, Laurens said on The Optus Sport Football Podcast.
He nailed the free-kick, the assist was top-notch, and his movement was on point. I hope this is just the beginning for him and for France because we’ve been on the lookout for someone who can bring what Griezmann offered for years.
Olise’s playing style is different from Griezmann’s, but Laurens thinks his way of handling the ball and connecting plays makes him a great fit to take over. France Uncover Next Big Star.
Deschamps’ Changes Pay Off
Laurens also pointed out Deschamps’ changes from the first leg, where France lost 2-0. He was critical of the setup in that game, which had Ousmane Dembele playing in a different role than he should have.
The team selection in the first leg made no sense, Laurens said. Why would you put Dembele, who’s one of the top strikers, in a midfield role? It just didn’t work.
France’s performance in the second leg was much better, especially in the second half, which Laurens described as some of their best football lately.
Even though the first half was lacking some flair, they dominated. In the second half and extra time, they really outplayed Croatia, he added.
France’s Strong Effort
The stats showed France’s dominance, with Croatia not managing a single shot on goal during the whole match. Keeper Mike Maignan didn’t have to make a save until the penalty shootout came around.
It felt electric at Stade de France, Laurens said. Olise was on fire, Dembele played great, Mbappe was a threat, and the midfield had control. Desire Doue, at just 19, came off the bench for his debut and played like a seasoned pro.
With so many positives from the match, France seems to be unearthing a new wave of talent ready to take the team further. If Olise keeps this up, he could very well be at the center of France’s future success.
