Journal des Bleus: Hernandez returned to Poland, Lloris’ “feeling” and prayer for Pele

Here we are, the smell of cleaver matches, the breath before the passing minutes, and the appendages pointing to the tip of their noses. The final stage of the World Cup began this Saturday with the qualification of the Netherlands against the USA (3-1) and Argentina against Australia (2-1). The France of the Mbappe machine knows this: a defeat this Sunday afternoon at the end of 90, 120 or more minutes against Poland and will have to return home, leaving Qatar with a trophy acquired four years ago.

On the last day of preparation, the Blues did not deviate from their ritual. Press conference for coach and future selection record holder Hugo Lloris, followed by a workout that looked like the final preparation.

Complete blocking

Nobody went missing in the 24 hours of Round 16. On Friday, Theo Hernandez was rescued with a small bruise on his left ankle. As expected, the Milan side found the group on Saturday. Therefore, he logically claims the starting place against Poland to support Mbappe on the left lane. A formidable connection, feared by the White Eagles, who are ready to rent a “scooter” for the occasion.

The title squad must be an exact replica of the one played against Denmark (2-1) in the second group match eight days ago.

Only the first quarter of an hour of this training was open to the media. We were only entitled to the juggling and stretching sequences. After installing Didier Deschamps, did some try to shoot on goal? The coach is not thrilled with such preparation, but Antoine Griezmann said on Friday that he could take some action in the absence of the media.

offer of the day

For Hugo Lloris, the usefulness of special penalty training should not be overestimated either. This unique exercise is fraught with a somewhat mystical part. Some call it “the lottery”. Hugo Lloris used the term after relegation against Switzerland in June 2021 (tab 3-3, 4-5). He spoke about this on Saturday at a press conference. “There is part of the preparation, but also the instinct, the feeling at the time. The goalkeeper has to trust himself,” he said. A remark that is also fair for those who shot candidates.

Referee

It is Jesus Valenzuela who will be in charge of the Blues’ eighth final at Al-Tumama Stadium. An international judge since 2013, he first judged in his home country, Venezuela, before rising in rank. Valenzuela has only played one match in this World Cup: the England-US kickoff, which ended in a sad 0-0 draw on Friday 25 November.

homage

An hour and a half before participating in training, the PSG striker wanted to send a message to King Pele. Some media have already announced that he is in palliative care for a few hours. “Let’s pray for the king,” he tweeted with a Brazilian flag and crown emoji.

Pele, 82, has been suffering from a “respiratory infection” in recent days. But his general health has improved, the Sao Paulo hospital, where he was admitted on Tuesday, said on Friday. The Brazilian legend was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021.