France – Netherlands: Captain Mbappé Makes It A Rough Return For Koeman (4-0)

Defeated World Cup finalists France were back in action were in action for the first time since that fateful night in Lusail, as they kicked off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign. They faced the Netherlands, for whom Ronald Koeman was back in the dugout for a second stint. It did not prove to be a happy return for him, as some questionable decisions led to his side suffering a bit of a thrashing.

Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat.

Not a lot had changed for France since their loss to Argentina in December, but a key development was that Kylian Mbappé had been named their new captain after Hugo Lloris’ retirement. This reportedly did not go down perfectly well with some of the senior members of the squad - most notably Antoine Griezmann - but all seemed to have been settled going into this match.

There definitely was a fair bit of turmoil in the Dutch squad in the buildup to this game, although not due to any individuals. A number of their players, including some potential starters like Cody Gakpo and Matthijs de Ligt, had to leave the camp after suffering from food poisoning. Nevertheless, they definitely could field a side that would give the French a real run for their money.

Didier Deschamps did not really change anything from the formula that led France to the World Cup final bar a few personnel. Mike Maignan was their new first-choice keeper, so he started behind a back four of Jules Koundé, Ibrahim Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernández. Aurelién Tchouaméni and Adient Rabiot weer in midfield with Antoine Griezmann close to them, whilst Kingsley Coman and Kylian Mbappé flanked Randal Kolo . . .