How France Outmaneuvered Germany: In-Depth Tactical Breakdown of the 1-0 Victory

Intense Tactical Battle: France Secure 1-0 Win Over Germany

The highly anticipated Euro 2020 group stage meeting between France and Germany delivered a match filled with intensity and strategic depth. France, under the stewardship of Didier Deschamps, clinched a 1-0 win through an unfortunate own goal by Mats Hummels, positioning themselves strongly in the so-called “Group of Death.” This analysis unpacks the tactical approaches from both teams and reveals how France’s organization overcame a German side struggling for attacking clarity.

France’s Structure: 4-3-3 Formation and Team Selection

Deschamps opted for a classic 4-3-3 setup, blending defensive solidity with offensive threats. Here’s a rundown of the starting XI:

This shape provided the backbone for both France’s defense and their dynamic attacking transitions.

French Defense: Disciplined Press and Man-Marking

Out of possession, France maintained their 4-3-3 but paired it with a tailored, non-aggressive man-oriented press. Each French outfield player generally matched up to a direct German counterpart, with the exception of Kante, who was granted freedom to sweep up loose balls and cover for teammates when required.

Key points of France’s defensive tactics:
– Kante operated as a roving destroyer, plugging gaps and tracking runners.
– Griezmann frequently dropped deep on the right to shadow Antonio Rudiger, a key figure in Germany’s build-up play.
– Pogba and Rabiot closely tracked Kroos and Gundogan, preventing them from dictating the tempo in midfield.
– France displayed a willingness to let Germany circulate possession in their own half, trusting their organization to limit central progression and force attacks wide.
– Fullbacks and wide midfielders frequently cut out passes before the ball reached threatening areas, funneling any German progress into less dangerous zones.

This disciplined approach resulted in Germany holding over 60% possession but rarely threatening in crucial areas.

France on the Ball: Fluid Attacking Patterns

With possession, France evolved into a more flexible, attacking structure, resembling a 2-3-5 in advanced phases.

How France attacked:
– Centre-backs Varane and Kimpembe pushed possession forward, while fullbacks Hernandez and Pavard stepped up alongside Kante.
– Rabiot and Pogba advanced into the half-spaces, positioning themselves between German midfield and defense.
– Griezmann often dropped into central pockets to facilitate intricate passing moves, enabling the quick exchange and off-ball movement needed to break lines.
– The attacking trio of Benzema, Mbappe, and Griezmann regularly rotated, looking to exploit spaces between defenders through quick interchanges.

France’s directness was further amplified by Pogba’s vision, as he switched play and released Mbappe at pace. Even when German defenders created a 2v1 against Mbappe, he often managed to carve out chances or win fouls deep in the German half.

Midfield Balance: The Engine of France’s Performance

France’s midfield featured the industrious Kante, the creative Pogba, and the box-to-box qualities of Rabiot. This trio struck a superb balance:
– Kante broke up play and recycled possession rapidly.
– Pogba provided composure and a passing range that stretched Germany’s lines.
– Rabiot’s movement plugged defensive gaps and allowed for seamless transitions from defense to attack.

This harmony made France formidable both when regaining the ball and when constructing attacks.

Germany’s Approach: 3-4-2-1 Formation and Player Roles

Manager Joachim Low selected a 3-4-2-1 formation, aiming for width and midfield control:

This system was designed to ensure possession and create width, but fell short in execution against France’s marked organization.

Germany’s Defending: Passive Press and Lack of Structure

Without the ball, Germany dropped into a 3-4-3 and sometimes a 5-4-1, but lacked the urgency and compactness needed to disrupt France’s smooth passing game.

Defensive observations:
– The German back line hesitated to compress space, especially in wide areas.
– Kroos was effective in isolated moments defensively, registering seven tackles, but the side as a whole struggled with coordination.
– Hummels saw significant action as a covering defender, but relied too much on individual recovery rather than preemptive positioning.
– On occasions, Ginter and Hummels combined to double-team Mbappe, but France’s ability to switch play meant that defensive focus on one star player often left gaps elsewhere.

This disjointed approach regularly allowed France to progress the ball and create threats, despite Germany’s overall possession dominance.

German Possession: High Ball Retention, Low Penetration

On the ball, Germany’s strategy revolved around circulating possession via the back three and wing-backs:

– The centre-backs methodically built out from the back, with Kimmich and Gosens holding the width.
– Attempts to transfer play from wide positions into the central areas were repeatedly stifled by France’s man-marking in midfield.
– Joshua Kimmich’s advanced position failed to influence play, often leaving him on the periphery rather than at the heart of attacks where he is most dangerous.
– Crosses into the box from wing-backs occasionally posed questions, but without a clear aerial target or cohesive forward movement, many opportunities dissipated without a finish.

France’s pressure limited the effectiveness of Germany’s passing, forcing them to recycle the ball outside the final third and resulting in few genuine scoring chances.

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

France’s controlled, tactically disciplined display made the 1-0 win look more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Their compactness, ability to transition, and midfield dominance showcased why they are serious title contenders. Germany, while seeing plenty of the ball, struggled to unlock France’s defense and lacked the cutting edge required at the highest level.

Looking forward:
– Germany must refine their approach in possession and become more cohesive defensively if they hope to advance.
– France’s mix of structure and individual talent positions them among the favorites to progress deep into the tournament.

In summary, this clash not only highlighted France’s tactical maturity but also exposed flaws in Germany’s current game plan — lessons both teams will take into their upcoming fixtures.