Mbappé leads France’s unity as Deschamps builds trust before knockouts

Kylian Mbappé’s dash to embrace Didier Deschamps after France’s opening goal against Sweden has come to symbolise the spirit underpinning Les Bleus’ World Cup campaign, according to the Guardian. The moment, which followed the head coach’s brief absence from the squad to grieve the death of his mother, has been held up as evidence of a togetherness that France’s management believe is central to their tournament hopes.

France beat Sweden 3-0 in the last 32, with Mbappé’s opener sparking scenes of celebration involving the whole squad. Deschamps later revealed the gesture had “touched me deeply”, according to the Guardian, and used the moment to underline the unity within his group after stepping back from duties for a week.

Deschamps praises Mbappé as example of collective strength

“The group is united,” Deschamps said, as quoted by the Guardian. “They delivered when I was away and now I’m back, they know I’m here 100%. Team spirit doesn’t win you matches but it can help you lose them. The collective strength is above everything and Kylian is the best shining example.”

The Guardian notes that the bond between the France squad and their head coach long predates this tournament, stretching back to their World Cup triumph in 2018. But the emphasis on unity carries particular weight given France’s history of internal discord derailing previous campaigns.

The most infamous example remains the 2010 World Cup, when a rift between Nicolas Anelka and then-coach Raymond Domenech led to the player’s expulsion, a squad training boycott and an early group-stage exit, the Guardian recalls. The fallout exposed serious divisions within the French set-up at the time.

Mbappé backed by coach amid outside criticism

Mbappé has increasingly become a lightning rod for criticism directed at athletes who speak out on social and political matters, particularly regarding France’s far right, according to the Guardian. The forward has rejected suggestions he should move into politics, reportedly saying he is “already hated enough as it is”.

Despite the outside noise, Deschamps has offered his captain unwavering support, a stance the Guardian says extends to every member of his squad. That mutual trust, the report suggests, is being reinforced by public displays such as the group hug seen at the MetLife Stadium.

Tactical trust behind France’s attacking approach

The Guardian suggests Deschamps is leveraging this squad harmony to underpin a bold tactical set-up, with France fielding four out-and-out attackers in this tournament. It is a similar approach to the one deployed at the 2022 World Cup, though France had reverted to a more conservative 4-3-3 formation at the last European Championship.

Among those benefiting from the attacking freedom has been Michael Olise, who came close to a spectacular bicycle-kick goal against Sweden that struck the post, according to the Guardian. The blend of security and adventure in France’s play is being credited to the collective ethos Deschamps has fostered within the group.

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