Football / Blues. The keys to the France-South Africa friendly match
The Blues are aiming for a 7th consecutive success
Undefeated for 19 matches (13 wins, 6 draws) – despite their elimination on penalties against Switzerland in the round of 16 of Euro-2021 – the Blues can hope to bring this series to 20, this Tuesday (9:15 p.m.) against South Africa, in a friendly, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq.
During this series, the France team scored at least one goal in each match, ie 43 in 19 matches. By winning against South Africa, it would win a seventh victory in a row, and would equal the performance established between March 2013 and February 2014 (7 consecutive victories), already with Didier Deschamps at its head.
The historical record of the Blues is 14 straight wins between March 29, 2003 and February 18, 2004.
READ ALSO : Ten numbers to know before the France-South Africa match
Clauss, first tenure (almost) at home
The Pierre-Mauroy stadium, the scene of the match between France and South Africa, will reserve a warm welcome for Jonathan Clauss, who is preparing to honor his 2nd selection, and his 1st tenure especially, a few kilometers from is home ?
The piston of RC Lens is prepared for everything, including hearing whistles, as was the case for Adrien Rabiot in Marseille last Friday, but for him, the essential is obviously elsewhere. Even if he will have to ignore the context: in the night, the portrait of him placed near the Pierre-Mauroy stadium was tagged …
At 29, he is living the craziest moments of an atypical career, and intends to take his chance in the 3-4-1-2 of the Blues, in a system that suits him perfectly. Another historic « Lensois », Raphaël Varane will enter the pitch with the captain’s armband.
Mbappé is expected
Remained on the bench in Marseille against Côte d’Ivoire, after suffering from an ENT inflammation, Kylian Mbappé will return to the field during the match against Bafana-Bafana this Tuesday in Villeneuve d’Ascq.
The PSG striker has been prolific in his last outings in blue, having scored 7 goals in his last 4 matches.
If he scores again, he will equal the performance of Karim Benzema, who scored with the Blues in five consecutive matches (7 goals in 5 matches, between November 2013 and June 2014).
Maignan, for the pleasure of Lille residents
It’s rare enough to be noted, Hugo Lloris, number one goalkeeper and captain of the Blues, will not be in goal against South Africa. Didier Deschamps, who must also prepare for the future and see the current number 2 at work, will offer Mike Maignan his second selection.
A great architect of the title of French champion of LOSC during the 2020-2021 season, Maignan is today the delight of AC Milan, but he should receive a wonderful welcome at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
He’s a quiet force, he has a good kicking game, a good leadership character, he is constantly improving.
Didier Deschamps
South Africa wants to take advantage
The South African selection, which will play in Lille against the Blues, four days after having also faced Guinea in a friendly (0-0), in Kortrijk, will change worlds, it which has lost the habit of playing in stadiums full.
“It will really motivate us,” explained the Belgian coach of Bafana Bafana, Monday at a press conference. “It will be a good experience for us too to play against the world champions, we need to play tough matches,” he added.
His selection is mainly made up of players playing in the South African championship, and is therefore rather unknown in Europe.
The number: 5
The France team will face South Africa for the 5th time in its history. To date, the Blues have 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, suffered in the last match to date, in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in Bloemfontein (1-2).
A match that had sealed the end of a failed World Cup in large widths by the Blues.
