By Daily Sports Nigeria on June 22, 2024

All the cameras were on Kylian Mbappe as he took his place on the bench for France's Euro 2024 game against the Netherlands and, with such attention, it was hard for him to hide his emotions.

The 25-year-old striker, who broke his nose in France's opener, occasionally looked frustrated, at one stage had his head in his hands and also stood to shout out encouragement to his team-mates.

But he was not where he wanted to be - on the pitch - and Les Bleus badly missed him in a goalless draw where they missed numerous chances.

"I am not concerned," France boss Didier Deschamps said about his side's failure to score in Mbappe's absence.

"It is just the name of the game. Sometimes you have countless chances and don't hit the back of the net and sometimes it is the other way round.

"I would be worried if there were not any chances. Efficiency at high-level football is important and it is something we can work on."

While there may be attacking concerns for France the big positive for them so far have been the performances of Kante.

The former Chelsea player made a surprise return to international football after a two-year absence when he was called up to Deschamps' squad, and he has been the standout player in France's two games so far.

"N'Golo is still out there running I think," joked Deschamps, one hour after the game against the Netherlands had finished.

"But it is not all he does, He is able to really project us up the field [and it] is important with the rest of our midfield we have that variety and we are not that predictable for our opponent."

Kante is clearly enjoying being back in the international fold.

"It is always important when you come back to play for your national team, especially in a competition as important as the Euros," he said.

"I wanted to give my all in these games."

Two fixtures down and there have been positives and negatives for France.

But with their place in the knockouts all but assured, there is still plenty of time for them, and Mbappe, to get up to full speed.

Source Punch Ng

Posted June 22, 2024

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