France Eyes Offensive Boost with Mbappe's Mask Adaptation

France, during the Euro 2024 last-16 match where they triumphed over Belgium, saw Kylian Mbappe adjusting his mask several times, an indication of his discomfort. This unease mirrors a wider anxiety within France’s forward line, which continues to struggle in finding their scoring rhythm. A Jan Vertonghen own goal in the 85th minute, deflected off Randal Kolo Muani’s shot, rather than a decisive score from their own players, confirmed Les Bleus’ place in the quarter-finals.

France has managed only three goals in the tournament, none from open play, a fact that has made their offensive failings a recurring topic in press conferences. Despite criticisms, Manager Didier Deschamps stands firm, asserting that a goal remains a goal, regardless of its origin. However, the statistics highlight their struggle to deliver thrilling performances, with France scoring the least among the remaining teams.

Deschamps recognizes the need to improve and insists they can score more, despite the evident challenges. As France advances in the competition, potentially facing stronger teams, they will count on their attackers to rise to the occasion and deliver. Mbappe’s need to adjust to the protective mask he wears due to a broken nose is critical. Although he displayed his signature movements against Belgium, his finishing lacked sharpness, possibly due to the mask.

Deschamps stresses the urgency of Mbappe growing comfortable with the mask quickly, as he may need to wear it for a longer period. Looking forward to the quarter-finals, France hopes that Mbappe’s adaptation to the mask will align with a boost in offensive performance. This improvement is essential for their chances of progressing further in the tournament.