Mbappe is out! L Equipe: The French team faces issues such as captain selection, offensive system and scoring responsibilities

After passing and shooting in the game against Azerbaijan, French team captain Mbappé retired from the national team due to injury and will miss the next game against Iceland. "L'Equipe" believes that Mbappe's absence is like a "domino", triggering three major challenges for head coach Deschamps in terms of offensive system, scoring responsibility and captain selection.

First of all, the offensive system needs to be reshaped urgently. Mbappe's absence is not an exception. The French team is currently facing an unprecedented "forward shortage". As many as seven offensive players, including Kolo Mouani, Thuram, and Dembele, were not selected this time. This prevents Deschamps from simply replicating the backup tactics such as the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 diamond midfield that were experimented with last year when Mbappe was absent. It is widely predicted that Deschamps will be forced to return to the 4-2-3-1 formation and rebuild the attack line around young players such as Olise.

Secondly, who will score the goal becomes the most realistic question. Mbappe has scored in the past five national team games and is the team's most stable scoring point. Now, the goal-scoring burden falls on inexperienced replacements. Ekitic struggled in his debut, Mateta was selected for the first time, and Nkunku's scoring efficiency in the national team was worrying, scoring only 1 goal in 15 appearances. How to activate the scoring ability of these players will be a big test for Deschamps.

Finally, the ownership of the captain’s armband has also become the focus. Joan Armene (suspended), Kante (not selected) and Konate (injured), who previously served as captain in Mbappe's absence, are all unavailable this time. This necessitated the appointment of a new on-field leader by Deschamps.

At present, two popular candidates have surfaced: goalkeeper Maignan with a flamboyant personality and leadership temperament, and experienced and stable center back Upamecano. Deschamps will make a choice between these two leaders with different styles.

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