The Frenchman is giving continuity in Qatar to his great start at Barça; he is indisputable for the French coach, delighted with the performance and maturity acquired by the winger
Ousmane has improved both mentally and tactically, he is more supportive in defense and loses far fewer balls in dangerous areas
With a star in his pocket, achieved when he was just 21 years old, some would think that Ousmane Dembélé already spent the game too young. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the current World Cup in Qatar we are seeing version 2.0 of a footballer who in recent months it has taken a decisive step forward in terms of maturity, solidarity and determination. France is a pragmatic team in which the flourishes and eccentricities are quite ‘covered’ by a Didier Deschamps aware of the enormous potential that he has in his hands. But he also knows the trade and what it takes to reach high levels in an event of these characteristics.
As SPORT has learned, the French coach was (is, well) delighted with this version of Dembélé that we have been able to see and enjoy at Barça for a long time. The winger from Évreaux is a much more mature footballer, who has understood that he has to take care of himself and train very hard (also on his own account) so as not to suffer physical mishaps and have continuity. Regularity. Something that once lacquered him and that now has catapulted him to offer a much more sustained performance. Without losing that essence, that bit of genius and anarchy that make it special.
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Obviously, Deschamps does an exhaustive follow-up of the selectable ones. And, despite the fact that Ousmane was left out during several international windows, his good work and his progression led him to the final list of the Bayonne coach. Yes, the injuries to Benzema and especially Nkunku helped pave the way. But the former Dortmund player was in all the pools to accompany Mbappé and Giroud in the attacking hat-trick (who also benefited from Karim’s injury, of course, and boy is he taking advantage of it).
The point is that Didier asked Ousmane and somehow “took advantage” of the good work done by Xavi (and by the player himself, of course) regarding the tactical and defensive discipline shown and acquired throughout these months. It was vital to have an important role in this France that, in addition to being the winger of ‘fireworks’ and imbalance, assists, goals and so on, defended. That he understood when he took risks, that he was supportive.
UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT
It is usual (as against England) to see this France withdraw, defend in their field, when they go ahead on the scoreboard. And there it was key that the one from Évreaux understood that phase of the game and adapted. And the truth is that he is fulfilling it to the letter. Against the ‘Three Lions’, in addition to having important appearances up front, he was immeasurable in helping Koundé cover the right wing. In fact, the English created much more danger on the other side.
In a recent article in SPORT we made a comparison between Ousmane from Barça and the one from France. And the conclusions are that he takes fewer risks (fewer balls also reach him by having Mbappé on the other side), that when he dribbles he registers better percentages and that his radius of action is greater in his own half. That is, in defensive tasks. Adapt to the context, go.