In 2021, how did France fare?

Fans of the Blues may expect a rollercoaster of emotions in the year 2021.

The Euro, where Les Bleus started as favorites, ended with an early exit against a presumably inferior opponent, then the unconvincing qualifying matches leading up to the encounter in Lyon against Finland, and finally this triumph in the League of Nations.

How can we judge this year and what the future holds for this French team when there are so many divergent trends?

We can do better in the qualifying stages.

This team seemed uninspired offensively in the matches against Bosnia and Ukraine, while playing well. Deschamps tried a few different front-line combinations to help Griezmann and Mbappe, but none of them worked. This raises a question for some observers: if this squad can play against big countries, what can it accomplish against little teams gathered in its region?

Didier Deschamps saw the issue and did everything he could to energise the team's attack by recalling Karim Benzema.

After a strong start, the Euro plummets.

Les Bleus face Germany in the opening encounter of the Euro, so things aren't looking good. This match was the final match of the first day, and it was intended to show Europe that France deserved to be the favorite in this competition. It was then completed. Despite England and Italy getting off to a strong start, this team is the clear favorite in this competition.

The Blues, on the other hand, lost both of their other group stage matches.

This group stage, however, could not be described as a failure. While the loss against Hungary was unfortunate, it was not alarming, and the victory over Portugal demonstrated that Les Bleus have a plan.

From the infirmary, there are warning indications. The injury list is lengthy, and players capable of playing lack physical freshness. Dembele was injured against Hungary, Dinh and Hernandez were injured against Portugal.

Some criticize the players' arrogance or overconfidence, while others discuss frequent trips to the Euros and locker-room ego issues. Several factors contributed to the early suspension in the encounter against the Swiss, in which Les Bleus shone for twenty minutes before being stupid for the remainder.

Resurgence

The results of the first matches after the Euro have been dismal. A lack of confidence and cohesion can be shown in tasteless drawings.

After Lyon's Nations League victory over Finland, everything changed.

Griezmann is back to his greatest form, and Coman appears to be more important than ever in tearing away these defenses.

It's also worth mentioning Deschamps' shift in strategy following the Euros.

To avoid falling into the same trap as his German counterpart, he is more concerned with present form than with allegiance.

The issues remain unanswered. How about protection? Varan's mental state is critical to this group, and we'll have to see if he can get back in shape.

I believe we'll have to wait and see if he can regain his previous level of fitness. There is still more to be done, but Les Bleus have the necessary weapons in their hands for the World Cup, and they don't appear to want to repeat their humiliating defeat at Euro 2020.