AFTER being pushed all the way by the Socceroos, France have turned in another ‘inept’ showing – in a bizarre mid - World Cup friendly against Spartak Moscow’s Under - 19 side.
The French fielded a second - string XI to take on the Russian youth side, in a performance that was described by Get French Football News as ‘a real nightmare for all involved’ – ending in a slender 3 - 2 victory.
The fact they played at all stunned many, considering France have just a six - day gap between their opening victory over the Socceroos and their upcoming second group stage fixture against Peru in Ekaterinburg on Friday morning AEST.
The match was meant for squad members who didn’t feature prominently against the Aussies, with big names such as Olivier Giroud, Nabil Fekir, Benjamin Mendy, Blaise Matuidi and Thomas Lemar all taking part.
Les Bleus were ‘bordering on humiliating’ in the first half, as they went behind after just nine minutes owing to an error from full back Djibril Sidibe. They levelled the ledger shortly after through Giroud, before Fekir edged Didier Deschamps’ side ahead with a well - taken chip.
Spartak equalised with Mendy at fault as the sides went into the break at 2 - 2.
The French created just two clear - cut chances in the second half, with Matuidi squeezing home late in the piece to seal the result as they ‘barely looked dangerous’ despite having ‘all of the ball. ’
Aside from the performance, which was labelled ‘inept’ by The Sun, the match also yielded a pair of worrying injury concerns to attacking weapons Fekir and Florian Thauvin.
Fekir spent a period off the pitch receiving treatment on his foot but soon returned to the action, while a knee injury for Thauvin also sidelined him for a period.
Deschamps reportedly ‘sat in silence’ throughout, while ‘his assistants [were] looking incredibly bewildered.
After a fairly disappointing outing against the Aussies for their first choice XI – in which they needed a VAR - awarded penalty and an Aziz Behich own - goal to sneak past the world’s 36th ranked team – this friendly performance casts doubt over the credentials of the French squad.
Touted as one of the pre - tournament favourites, the French will be weary of their form heading into crucial clashes against highly rated rivals Denmark (World No. 12) and Peru (World No. 11).
The simply bizarre friendly has been met with bemusement by fans online.
‘Is this for real?’ one fan pondered on Twitter, while many questioned ‘why are they doing this?’
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