Off the back of losing the World Cup final on penalties, and with the team slightly in transition following the retirement of captain Hugo Lloris, instrumental centre-half Raphael Varane, and star striker Karim Benzema, it was intriguing to see how Didier Deschamps' side would approach the start of their Euro 2024 campaign.
It all began at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday night as they took on fellow heavyweights and the group’s top seed; unfortunately from an Ireland perspective, it was business as usual from Les Blues, who swatted the Dutch – a team that caught the eye at the recent World Cup – aside in a 4-0 mauling.
The first two minutes of the contest summed it up, as the Dutch were allowed to knock the ball around in their own half, while France sat patiently embedded in the midfield area waiting for an opportunity to pounce, duly obliging early in the contest.
Antoine Griezmann’s opening goal in the second minute showed how lethal this France attack can be, before adding a set-piece second in the eighth minute through Dayot Upamecano, while Kylian Mbappe sealed the victory with only 21 minutes on the clock.
It was four in the end, and remarkably, France only enjoyed 42% possession throughout, an approach that has served Deschamps’ unit well in recent years.
For this reason, Stephen Kenny will know exactly how to set up his side against France, and there will be no surprising formation changes for the Dublin game with perhaps just a touch of squad rotation three days on from the Netherlands game.
But as Kenny admitted in the pre-match press conference, many other teams also have known how to set up, but few can garner the required result.
Ireland will be thankful that France do not consistently play a high press, which will allow Kenny’s defence to take the ball out and away from the penalty area, and when they do, inevitably, relinquish control of the ball, they should have a chance to get players back to defend.
"Counter the counter-attack", was how Kenny put it, as he concedes that France will explode forward at great force, most notably down the left flank, where a full-tilt Mbappe is virtually unplayable.
The addition of the lively and smart attacking play of Randal Kolo Muani offers another challenge for the Ireland defence, compared to the more physical and familiar battle with Olivier Giroud, who looks set to provide more of an impact role in this campaign.
France really do have a lopsided approach to attack though, with the left side of the pitch almost always utilised, aided in large parts by the marauding runs of Theo Hernandez from left back, while right-sided attacker, Kingsley Coman will also often meander his way across the field to enjoy a taste of the action – sometimes it can be as simple as a hopeful hoof up the wing, knowing that Mbappe’s pace can wreak havoc in pursuit.
Orchestrating from behind, and happy to loiter with intent just outside the 18-yard box, is where you will find Antoine Griezmann, and it will be interesting to see if Josh Cullen can nullify his influence as he sits in front of the Ireland back three, offering much-needed support.
Adrien Rabiot and Aureilien Tchouameni – one of the players of the World Cup – provide the muscle and control in that France midfield, while the team is hugely improved by the hard-working Griezmann, who is now offering the complete midfielder’s role, forever tracking back, working equally for defence and attack from box to box.
If there are frailties in this France side, they are to found behind the midfield, as their defensive unit is very much in a state of evolution, not helped by the retirement of the aforementioned Varane, with the manager still looking to match his favourite formation.
Ibrahima Konaté and Upamecano started against the Netherlands, while Jules Koundé, a centre-back by trade, transitioned into a right back during the World Cup, not to mention Deschamps penchant for utilising the talented Eduardo Camavinga at left-back.
On top of that, France are looking for a long-term replacement for Lloris, coupled with the fact that forever number two Steve Mandanda synced up his international retirement with the departing Spurs stopper.
Milan’s Mike Maignan was handed the gloves for the Dutch game, ahead of Brice Samba of Lens and West Ham’s reserve keeper Alphonse Areola.
A clean sheet and a late penalty save will certainly have helped Maignan’s cause going into the Dublin game, but whether he makes it through the entire campaign will be an interesting sideshow.
So how does Stephen Kenny not only counter such an attacking threat, but also include the quality in his selection to enjoy periods of possession in the all-important final third?
It is safe enough to assume that Gavin Bazunu will return to the starting XI in place of Caoimhin Kelleher, while the manager seems set to stick with his three-man defence, despite many sides opting for a flat back four against France to employ full-backs against their wide threat.
John Egan will certainly marshal that unit, while Seamus Coleman would most likely have got the nod to sit on his right-hand side if there were no injury concerns. Dara O’Shea may have jumped ahead of Nathan Collins in the pecking order but if Coleman does not make it, the two of them will surely start.
The wing-back roles are also throwing a selection headache in the manager’s direction as Matt Doherty has not been playing at club level, while Callum O’Dowda looks set to miss out due to a groin injury.
Doherty did get a good run out on Wednesday against Latvia, and it should be enough to see him start, however, he will need real support on that right flank, with that French fondness for attacking on the left, which is why Coleman’s presence in the three would have been ideal for such a scenario.
James McClean would be expected to play in O’Dowda’s absence, however, Kenny certainly took a moment before answering when pushed on the matter.
"We have a few options in that position, so we’ll have to wait and see how people train today before the team is fully selected," said Kenny.
There is an argument, of course, that you do not need a natural left back when playing against France as they are a lot happier attacking on the opposite side of the pitch, so that flank may well be an area that the manager is looking to as an outlet for his side to build their attack.
O’Dowda being the perfect choice for such tactics with his blistering pace and ability to run at players with the ball, so Kenny could be looking for an energetic option to fill the role – perhaps Jason Knight or even Chiedozie Ogbene could be asked to put in an unfamiliar shift?
Cullen, of course, will return to anchor the midfield, and Jayson Molumby’s tenacity should see him secure a starting spot, while the manager must be giving serious consideration to selecting Will Smallbone on the right side of the midfield following his player of the match performance on Wednesday.
Smallbone’s link-up play with Doherty could prove very useful as an outlet against France, his workrate off the ball will certainly add to his credentials, while perhaps his most valuable asset for a game against the World Cup finalists is his dead-ball delivery with set-pieces one of Ireland’s most obvious routes to goal.
Evan Ferguson will, no doubt, start up front, and while his partnership with Michael Obafemi did not offer immediate results on Wednesday, the manager was very happy with both of their performances and they appear the obvious duo in attack once again, with both possessing a good eye for goal and the ability to disrupt.
The manager is adamant that the players will know exactly what is asked of them, he is demanding bravery and courage, and he is certainly aspirational that tonight could turn a great occasion into a very special moment for this emerging Ireland side.
Yet still for all the preparation and planning, energy and endeavour, not to mention the deafening roar of a jam-packed Lansdowne Road, that Mbappe magic has, on many occasion, taken down the very best on the biggest stage, and maybe it will be the performance rather than the result that might offer Ireland hope for the remainder of the campaign.
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On.
