France 2-0 Germany: Five talking points

France avenged their last year’s World Cup loss to Germany by beating the world champions 2-0 in Paris in a riveting friendly encounter. Olivier Giroud opened the account for the evening with a stunning close range in the first half, before Andre-Pierre Gignac headed home the second in the final moments of the game to seal a memorable win.The game itself faded into the background as terrorist attacks across Paris broke the silence of the night and one of those attacks even occurred close to Stade de France, so near that the explosions were heard during the game in the stands. However, the game continued and here’s the overview of it.The hosts dominated the proceedings right from the off, throwing bodies up front relentlessly. And after a few near misses, Les Bleus finally got their lead in the extra-time of the first half after Anthony Martial brilliantly slalomed passed two German defenders near the post to lay off Giroud for an easy finish.The second half began in just the same way as the first, with France playing sprightly and holding the Germans on the back foot. The visitors had a frustrating time in front of goal who were denied by some excellent defending by the hosts, and for all their ropey performance, were pegged further back in the 84th minute when Gignac rose high enough to meet Coman’s cross and slammed a thunderous header into the back of the net with Neuer absolutely nonplussed.The victory continued France’s fine preparation for the Euros on home soil next year whereas for the Mannschaft, it’s all going downhill as they were condemned to a second defeat in the last 3 games. The French team’s game against England though has been suspended for the moment after the traumatic events of the night.Here are the five talking points from the French capital.

#1 France make a real statement of intent

As the hosts for the Euro 2016, France gained an automatic qualification for the tournament proper, but were actively involved during the qualifiers having drawn against the teams of group I for a series of friendly games.

Barring the defeat to Albania, France endured an otherwise fine run of results, but the quality of opposition simply wasn’t convincing enough. So the friendly against world champions Germany was their first real test of nerves in the past few months, and much to their own respite, they came out with flying colours.

The hosts were the better team throughout the game. They dominated possession of the ball, created the better chances, defended resolutely, restricting the men in white to long balls and stifled their attack. And to ice the cake, even ran out a resounding 2-0 victors. It was as good as things can possibly get.

France are definitely one of the favourites, alongside Germany, for the competition next summer, and with this spectacular show, they’ve just proved why.

#2 Gomez failes to inspire on return

Germany’s forgotten hero Mario Gomez pulled on the white of Die Mannschaft after a gap of over 400 days, but couldn’t impress on his long awaited return. The Fiorentina striker was dropped from the World Cup winning squad by coach Joachim Loew on the grounds of poor form, and more than a year later, marked his return to the international stage. Only for Loew to find out nothing much has changed with the striker.

With Miroslav Klose long gone, Mario Gotze out injured and Lukas Podolski dropped from the trip, Gomez led the line for the first time since March 2014 and failed to take any advantage of the opportunity as he struggled to make an impact in the final third and cut a frustrating figure.

The former Bayern man was closely marked by a vigilant French defence, thwarting his every surge towards goal, and appeared to struggle to even hit the broadside of a barn. With Muller unable to supply from the flanks, Gomez grew increasingly shorn of service and couldn’t conjure something of his own.

Gomez has blown his opportunity to impress the manager and will certainly find life difficult on the international front once Gotze and Podolski return to the fold.

#3 Martial comes of age

World’s most expensive teenager Anthony Martial was arguably the most productive player from the France side and became the major creative influence of the home team. Martial joined United on the deadline day for a hefty sum of £57.6 million from AS Monaco, raising several eye-brows. The 19-year old however, has hit the ground running by striking 5 times in 13 appearances, and the rich vein of form earned him a call-up for the national team earlier this year.

Having failed to emulate his club form thus far for Les Bleus, Martial finally stepped up to the plate against Germany and pulled an absolute blinder. The twinkle-toed young French dynamite ran havoc down the left, making fools out of the stellar German defence with his pace and hair-raising trickery.

The opening goal by the hosts was marshalled by him as Martial showed great piece of skill when he went hell for leather whizzing past Ginter and Boateng from the edge of the area and expertly put things on the platter for Giroud, who made no mistake from close range. Martial even managed to stir the cockles of the crowd’s hearts with his sublime dribbles and exceptional skill on the ball.

While Giroud and Gignac got the goals, Martial got all the plaudits.

#4 Germany lacked defensive cohesion

Since clinching the Jules Rimet trophy in the Maracana over a year ago, Germany have time and again appeared shaky at the back. The stealth and stiffness with which they held out their World Cup adversaries, appears to have deserted the German rearguard, leaving them threadbare.

With France pressing high up relentlessly, their every action inside the box seemed as if it would culminate in a goal. The likes of Martial, Giroud and Coman sliced through their defence as silkily as a knife through a butter.

Ginter’s surge into the opposing half of the pitch left the back 4 vulnerable whereas Boateng seemed nowhere near his stead, having been completely overshadowed by the brilliance of Martial. Neuer made a few crucial saves in the game, but even he was helpless when Giroud and Gignac made their initiatives at goal.

The defence is something of a concern for manager Loew, who has to beef it up sooner rather than later, as the Euro 2016 finals is fast approaching.

#5 There is life in France beyond Benzema

Karim Benzema couldn’t make the cut due to his ongoing extortion fracas involving him and French teammate Mathieu Valbuena, setting the path alight for the likes of Giroud. The Real Madrid striker was a star performer in France’s last eight finish in the World Cup last year, bagging three goals in 5 appearances, and also pilfered a few more strikes in the subsequent friendly encounters.

Benzema had been in a fine form for his club Los Blancos this season, scoring 6 times in 8 league appearances, until injury reared its ugly head. He has been out since then, but his return to the fold might be delayed due to off-field issues currently plaguing the former Lyon striker.

The likes of Giroud, Gignac and Martial though, made light of his absence as they came up top against Germany, more than filling his void. While the former duo grabbed the decisive goals that downed the visitors, Martial provided another ray of hope with his supreme showing.

There are reports suggesting Benzema could even miss the Euro cup on home soil next year if acquitted by the French court, but that still shouldn’t be a worry for head-honcho Didier Deschamps, as there is life in this French team beyond the 28-year old.