The French national team is immensely talented, their preparation is first class too. However, there is another factor to France’s all-conquering side.
France won the World Cup by defeating the strong-willed Croatian technicians 4-2. Many elements combined to create a second global footballing supremacy. Yet a subtle and intriguing element is now – amazingly – viewable.
Raucous panic engulfs me during a friendly on FIFA 18 – not the Frenchmen. The Guardian describes their collective traits as: harmony, humility and respect.
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Only three men have won the World Cup as a player and also a manager. Didier Deschamps is one of those people. He was un-flatteringly referred to as the water-carrier: the elder statesman of his world champion team. A central-defensive-midfielder. Although he seemed not to complain about this, continuing to convey his workload.
Now as French football supremo, Deschamps is still logically sound. Wonderful deference means he steps aside, encouraging his squad’s leaders to make impromptu team talks.
These speeches come at highly tense and important moments. Scenarios when other bosses or athletes would capitulate, wilt or shout orders like a wild control freak, blaming all but themselves.
Effortless command
Watching the voyeuristic clip below, one can feel the emphatic confidence in a calming, assured way. It is the World Cup final and les Bleus’ gaffer clearly communicates his instructions.
Subsequently he allows the floor to be taken by younger yet wise winners. Please click the video below to validate my explanation.
Didier Deschamps half time team talk during World Cup Final with English subtitles: https://t.co/dIKdKl8o9s
— Adey Moorhead (@adeymoorhead) July 18, 2018
Tranquil modulation is Deschamps’ approach. He is not built to bark orders: informing a player of perceived shortcomings by alleviating pressure through moderation.
It does not help to scorn or berate as an apparent form of encouragement in the long-term. From personal experience and as witness. In this instance the message is not particularly one of fault.
Simple noting of instruction: this manner, in stressful circumstances, surely instilled faith to succeed. An example of the insight from the French principal’s systematic discipline – issuing fundamentals:
"“Play as simple as possible. When you have the ball, if someone is on you, there’s another one coming. Give it. As soon as you can.” Didier Deschamps (Via: The Sun)"
Obliging their chief as a unit, the team members interjected their point. Occasionally a more animated incitement was conveyed. Raphael Varane pounds the treatment table to emphasise his point, “We’re gonna win, guys. Forty five minutes, flat-out, come on!”
Antoine Griezmann is mentioned as a vital component; before positivity from an unusually relaxed Paul Pogba.
Uruguay
This is quite unprecedented; although there are existing elite sporting conversations captured and published.
I cannot recall a football match of this magnitude allowing intrusion for public consumption. A marvellous glimpse into what appeared to be a fantastical setting.
A squad with so many constructive attributes will surely generate more trophies. In addition, footage emerged of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba articulately rallying his teammates. This was against Uruguay, before kick-off, but in the quarter-finals.
The Uruguayans are an organised and ruthlessly skilled bunch: it requires leaders to surpass the challenge. Pogba is an endearing realist about the moment: “We have to beat the best to be the best.”
We cannot underestimate the importance of how team selflessness, deference and leadership profits team cohesion. Implementing aptitude is of course essential – but individualistic mentalities would derail a side this celebrated.
Next: Ronaldo is transforming Juve
Once training field management finalises, geniuses may hold the key: “Give it to Kylian ,” is Deschamps’ playground-style mantra. Consequently, Mbappe got the decisive goal.