Frightening France’s second half show
It can be said that North Macedonia already knew this game was going to be a difficult fixture when looking at how both teams line up for today’s fixture.
The ever-attacking France started the game in their familiar 4-3-3 formation, with star player Eugenie Le Sommer playing more in a no. 8 role; or rather as an ‘inside forward’, since she is predominantly deployed on the left-wing.
It was a special win for Le Sommer in particular as she beat Marinette Pichon’s goal record, and successfully marking her name in the history books.
North Macedonia were set up more defensively, in a 5-4-1 formation, and despite this mid and low block approach to scupper France’s creativity seems to leave no attacking intent on the table, that isn’t the case.
Ideally, from a defensive to attacking transition, North Macedonia would be able to progress into a 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 when trying to break on the counter attack.
However, the stats show that despite this being one of many executions, France had in fact 50 attempts on goal. There where no shots taken by the North Macedonia’s and this game was practically attack vs. defense; with ‘Les Bleues ‘ dominating 81% of the game’s possession.
With the scoreline being only 0-7, it does bring into question the quality of the football being played, as less than half of these attempts on goal were actually on target.
If there is one thing France will need to take from this game, it would be to put their chances away as better opposition i.e. Denmark and Spain, who look much more efficient would be more likely to come out on top if they were to meet in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
