After attacker Michael Olise scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday, France coach Didier Deschamps urged Olise to leave his mark at the tournament.
Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele joined Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich winger in a formidable assault. Following their Champions League victory, the Paris Saint-Germain pair had been rested for the previous friendly, a defeat to Ivory Coast.
However, Olise was at his best, scoring rebounds both before and after halftime before curling in a brilliant shot from outside the area to put an end to the visitors after Patrick Kelly had rallied a goal.
“We’ll need a Michel Olise at that level,” stated Deschamps. “Michael stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us.”He is self-assured and has accomplished some truly amazing things. “It’s amazing that he can also put in the effort,” Deschamps remarked.
William Saliba of losers Arsenal, another Champions League finalist, demonstrated that he has overcome an injury scare by returning to offer France a lineup that resembles what they would choose for their World Cup opening match against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.
However, the French assault was often disorganized, and captain Mbappe, who needs one goal to tie Olivier Giroud’s scoring record, regularly appeared unimpressive.
Nevertheless, they continued to put pressure on the densely packed Northern Irish defense, resulting in frantic blocks and careless clearances.
In order to help Les Bleus prepare for every aspect of the World Cup, play was halted for drinks breaks in the midst of each half, even though the roof of the Lille stadium was kept closed on a chilly and damp evening.
In Group I, France will play Norway in Foxborough outside of Boston and Iraq in Philadelphia before departing on Wednesday for their training facility in Boston.
About The Author
