It’s already an open secret.
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France boss Didier Deschamps admits that he was delighted to have come through their opening match with Romania at Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory.
The next game for France will be against Albania in Marseille on June 15. But he made the most basic of errors when he tripped up midfielder Nicolae Stanciu.
Playing with attacking intent, rather than sitting deep as many observers expected, Romania rattled France.
Anghel Iordanescu (Romania coach): “We started the first half in excellent fashion and had a rare opportunity that the keeper was able to keep out”.
Deschamps said he had no doubts over the inclusion of Payet and the impact he could have on the game. “It was the first match, and unfortunately that means there’s a bit of apprehension, which saps your energy”.
However, one would still question his chemistry with the France playmakers, who created many more chances that the Arsenal man actually took.
Those matches came far apart, too. He has been much maligned by Gooners ever since he first arrived at the Emirates four years ago, and he has also been taking a lot of stick from France fans over the last month or two.
A total of 24 teams have been divided in six groups in EURO 2016.
It showed, as did France’s lack of bite. Tear gas was sacked at rowdy fans for a second day running ahead of England’s opening match against Russian Federation on Saturday, bringing back unhappy memories of the violence involving England supporters in the same south coast city during the 1998 World Cup.
Payet had already struck a last-gasp victor with a stunning free kick in France’s 3-2 victory against Cameroon on May 30 and it helps having somebody in the team who can use both feet to whip a game changer.
Pogba, billed as France’s midfield dynamo, was playing nearly as a sweeper at times.
“It really hurts to lose a game in the 89th minute”, said Iordanescu.
The hosts were rescued by captain, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, in the fourth minute, who blocked Bogdan Stancu’s close-range shot from goal line.
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However, Stancu, who plays in the Turkish Super League, equalised eight minutes later from the spot, finding the bottom right corner and leaving Lloris rooted to the spot. France then went on to take more control in the game and have better chances and in the 14th minute, Antoine Griezman had a headed chance towards goal which found the near post and was later cleared by the struggling Romanian defenders.
