It was a goal almost worthy of winning the entire competition, let alone the opening fixture of the tournament. Dimitri Payet’s fine effort in the dying embers of France’s 2-1 win over Romania last Friday left Ciprian Tatarusanu rooted to the spot and sent France fans across the country into delirium. The tournament hosts were minutes away from a disappointing draw with the Romanians, dampening the spirits of a team that legitimately harbours hopes of lifting the European Championship.
France are a squad riddled with talent, of that there is no doubt. Despite key absentees across the pitch, the hosts remain one of the favourites to secure international glory this summer, with their chances boosted on the back of Payet’s thunderous goal. A draw would not have been the end of the world, but victory now leaves them just one win away from a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016.
With reports looming that head coach Didier Deschamps could drop Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann in favour of Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman ahead of the meeting with Albania on Tuesday evening, it adds further weight to the suggestion that Payet has firmly established himself as France’s key attacker. At the time of writing, Payet is the highest rated player at Euro 2016 with a rating of 9.59.
His performance against Romania was, as his rating suggests, outstanding. Payet registered the assist for Olivier Giroud’s opener before firing France to all three points on Friday. His assist for the Arsenal striker’s header was from one of his eight key passes in the victory, the most of all players at the tournament so far. To routinely create goalscoring chances against a well-organised Romania side that conceded fewer goals (2) than any other team in qualifying highlights just how effective Payet was in the final third in France’s win.
Starting on the left flank in Deschamps’ favoured 4-3-3 formation, Payet was given license to roam in field and find space between the lines. While this left Patrice Evra desperately exposed in the opening game, Payet’s inclination to drift into the middle of the park put Romania on the back foot and allowed the experienced attacker to exert his creative qualities. Romania struggled to contain the playmaker and it ultimately cost them late on.
Yet, there is perhaps a concern that Deschamps’ willingness to hand Payet a free role in the final third could ultimately cost France in the latter stages of the competition. Against Romania last Friday and Albania on Wednesday, France are unlikely to troubled too heavily in the quest for victory. The raft of offensive talent available to Deschamps means they should have too much for Albania this week.
However, in the latter stages of Euro 2016, where matches and opponents become tougher, Payet’s lack of defensive work could become a hindrance. Deschamps’ plan of attack is largely dependent on the defensive work of N’Golo Kante. His heat map from France’s 2-1 win over Romania showed him drifting more to the left than the right, despite Romania focusing their attacks down France’s right (56%) than the left (30%). With Payet expected to be relinquished of his defensive responsibilities in order to maximise his creative talent, a lot of pressure is placed on Kante to routinely deny the opposition.
Against the so called lesser teams at Euro 2016, there isn’t too big a threat posed to the France backline, but if Les Bleus face off against the likes of Germany and Spain, the hosts could well be caught short in defence. That, though, isn’t to say Payet’s creative talents should be curbed. When the necessary freedom is granted to Payet, he’s capable of putting any team to the sword.
119 key passes was second only to Mesut Ozil (146) in Europe’s top five leagues last season, this coming despite Payet missing a number of Premier League games through injury, boasting the necessary creative qualities to help France to glory this summer. If he continues his excellent form for his country, Deschamps would see no reason to keep Payet out of the starting XI in the coming weeks. If reports that Pogba and Griezmann are to be dropped for the meeting with Albania are to be believed, it proves just how highly valued Payet now is to the manager, which is all the more impressive given a nine-month hiatus from the national team.
A Lorik Cana-less Albania now await France this week as the hosts aim to make it two wins from two. With Payet at the hub of every offensive move, chances are the hosts will have secured a place in the next round of Euro 2016 by the close of play on Wednesday.
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