On November 14, 2024, France hosted Israel at the iconic Stade de France in a highly anticipated UEFA Nations League clash.
The encounter ended in a commanding 4-1 victory for the French side, showcasing their depth, tactical intelligence, and the seamless integration of experienced players with emerging talent. Israel, despite their best efforts, struggled to counter France’s attacking firepower and midfield dominance.
Both teams fielded strategic lineups that reflected their game plans and objectives. While France displayed a well-rounded, attacking-oriented approach, Israel emphasized compact defensive organization and counter-attacking play.
France’s Starting XI and Tactical Setup
Under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, France deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation designed to maximize their attacking options while maintaining defensive stability.
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
Defenders:
Right-back: Jules Koundé
Center-backs: Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano
Left-back: Theo Hernández
Midfielders:
Defensive midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (captain) and Eduardo Camavinga
Attacking midfielders: Michael Olise (right), Warren Zaïre-Emery (center), and Bradley Barcola (left)
Forward: Randal Kolo Muani
With Kylian Mbappé absent due to injury, N’Golo Kanté stepped up as captain, lending his wealth of experience to lead the team. The defensive pairing of Konaté and Upamecano provided a solid foundation at the back, while youthful talents like Olise and Zaïre-Emery injected energy and creativity into France’s attacking play.
Israel’s Starting XI and Tactical Setup
Managed by Ran Ben Shimon, Israel adopted a 3-4-3 formation aimed at ensuring defensive compactness while exploiting counter-attacking opportunities.
Goalkeeper: Daniel Peretz
Defenders:
Raz Shlomo
Ido Nachmias
Sean Goldberg
Midfielders:
Right wing-back: Sagiv Jehezkel
Left wing-back: Liel Abada
Central midfielders: Mohammad Abu Fani and Mahmud Jaber
Forwards:
Right wing: Oscar Gloukh
Left wing: Manor Solomon
Center forward: Dor Turgeman
This setup focused on creating a compact defensive unit with the wing-backs providing width in attack. The creativity of Gloukh and Solomon was pivotal to Israel’s counter-attacking strategy. However, their inability to consistently disrupt France’s midfield dominance ultimately limited their effectiveness.
Key Tactical Observations
France’s Midfield Dominance
The partnership of N’Golo Kanté and Eduardo Camavinga proved to be a defining factor. Kanté’s defensive prowess and relentless work rate disrupted Israel’s attempts to build momentum, while Camavinga’s vision and passing range facilitated quick transitions. Their combined efforts allowed France to dictate the tempo of the game, leaving Israel on the back foot for most of the match.
Wide Play and Overlaps
Full-backs Jules Koundé and Theo Hernández played a crucial role in France’s attacking strategy. Their overlapping runs stretched Israel’s defense, creating spaces for the wingers and attacking midfielders. Hernández, in particular, was instrumental on the left flank, delivering precise crosses and linking effectively with Bradley Barcola.
Israel’s Defensive Shape
Israel’s back three, supported by wing-backs, aimed to form a compact defensive block. While this setup initially helped contain France’s attacks, the defensive unit struggled to cope with the fluid movement and off-the-ball runs of the French attackers. Gaps began to appear as the match progressed, allowing France to exploit these spaces and create scoring opportunities.
Counter-Attacking Intent
Israel’s primary offensive strategy was to hit France on the counter, utilizing the pace and creativity of Gloukh and Solomon. However, France’s defensive organization, led by Konaté and Upamecano, nullified these attempts. Despite some promising moments, Israel lacked the precision and composure needed to capitalize on their limited opportunities.
Substitutions and Their Impact
France’s Changes
Deschamps made strategic substitutions to maintain intensity and manage player workloads:
Christopher Nkunku: Replaced Michael Olise in the 70th minute, injecting fresh energy into the right flank.
Adrien Rabiot: Came on for Eduardo Camavinga in the 71st minute to ensure midfield stability and control.
Kingsley Coman: Introduced in the 78th minute for Warren Zaïre-Emery, adding pace and width to France’s attack.
These changes ensured that France retained their dominance, with the substitutes contributing to the team’s fluid attacking play.
Israel’s Changes
Ran Ben Shimon’s substitutions aimed to bolster the midfield and defense:
Dan Biton: Entered for Mahmud Jaber in the 80th minute to improve ball retention and passing in midfield.
Eitan Azulay: Replaced Sagiv Jehezkel in the 84th minute, adding fresh legs to the defensive line.
Despite these adjustments, Israel was unable to shift the game’s momentum, as France continued to dictate proceedings.
Emerging Star: Warren Zaïre-Emery
One of the standout performers for France was Warren Zaïre-Emery. Operating as an attacking midfielder, the 18-year-old displayed remarkable composure and creativity, orchestrating play in the final third. His ability to find pockets of space and link up with the forward line added an extra dimension to France’s attack.
Defensive Masterclass by Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano delivered an exceptional defensive performance, effectively neutralizing Israel’s counter-attacking threats. His positioning, aerial dominance, and ability to read the game ensured that Israel’s forward trio had minimal impact.
Lessons for Israel
This match highlighted areas where Israel needs improvement, particularly in transitioning from defense to attack. Strengthening their midfield’s ability to resist high-pressure situations and developing more structured counter-attacks could make them more competitive against top-tier teams in the future.
Post-Match Reflections
France’s comprehensive 4-1 victory demonstrated their tactical flexibility, squad depth, and the seamless integration of young talent with experienced players. Didier Deschamps’ strategic acumen was evident in his lineup choices and in-game adjustments, which kept France in control throughout the match.
For Israel, the game served as a learning experience. While their defensive resilience and counter-attacking intent were commendable, their inability to consistently challenge France’s midfield and capitalize on opportunities exposed the gaps between them and Europe’s elite teams.
Wrapping Up
The UEFA Nations League clash between France and Israel highlighted contrasting tactical approaches and underlined the significance of lineup selections and in-game adaptability. France’s dominance, driven by their midfield control and attacking fluidity, secured a convincing victory.
Israel, despite their resilience, must focus on enhancing their tactical adaptability and improving their ability to handle high-pressure scenarios. As both teams continue their Nations League campaigns, the lessons learned from this encounter will undoubtedly influence their strategies in future matches.
France’s performance reaffirmed their status as one of Europe’s powerhouses, while Israel’s determination and glimpses of quality provided hope for continued growth on the international stage.
FAQs
Q: What were the starting lineups for France and Israel in their UEFA Nations League match on November 14, 2024?
In the UEFA Nations League match on November 14, 2024, France’s starting lineup was: Mike Maignan (GK), Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernández, Eduardo Camavinga, N’Golo Kanté (captain), Warren Zaïre-Emery, Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, and Bradley Barcola. Israel’s starting lineup included: Daniel Peretz (GK), Raz Shlomo, Iyad Abu Abaid, Sean Goldberg, Sagiv Yehezkel, Liel Abada, Mahmoud Jaber, Mohammed Abu Fani, Oscar Gloukh, Manor Solomon (captain), and Dor Turgeman.
Q: Were there any notable absences or injuries affecting the lineups in the France vs. Israel match?
Yes, France’s captain Kylian Mbappé was absent from the squad due to an agreement with coach Didier Deschamps, allowing him to focus on regaining match fitness following a hamstring issue. Additionally, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was unavailable due to injury. For Israel, goalkeeper Omri Glazer was absent, with Daniel Peretz stepping in as the starting goalkeeper.
Q: Who were the standout players in the France vs. Israel match on November 14, 2024?
In France’s 4-1 victory over Israel, Eduardo Camavinga opened the scoring with a goal in the 6th minute. Christopher Nkunku and Mattéo Guendouzi also contributed with goals in the 28th and 87th minutes, respectively, while Bradley Barcola sealed the win with a goal in the 89th minute. For Israel, Omri Gandelman scored their lone goal in the 24th minute.
Q: How did the tactical formations of both teams influence the match outcome?
France employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on a strong midfield presence with N’Golo Kanté and Eduardo Camavinga controlling the center, allowing for dynamic attacks from the wings. Israel utilized a 3-4-3 formation, aiming to strengthen their midfield and provide support to both defense and attack. However, France’s superior midfield control and effective wing play allowed them to dominate possession and create more scoring opportunities, leading to their 4-1 victory.
Q: Were there any significant substitutions during the match that impacted the game’s dynamics?
Yes, France made strategic substitutions to maintain their dominance. In the 70th minute, Michael Olise was replaced by Kingsley Coman, adding fresh attacking impetus. Eduardo Camavinga was substituted by Adrien Rabiot in the 71st minute to reinforce midfield stability. Additionally, Bradley Barcola, who scored in the 89th minute, was substituted shortly after his goal to allow Marcus Thuram some playtime. Israel also made substitutions, including the introduction of Dan Biton and Eitan Azulay, but these changes had limited impact on altering the match’s outcome.
Q: How did the absence of key players like Kylian Mbappé affect France’s performance against Israel?
Despite the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappé, France showcased their squad depth and attacking versatility. Players like Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola stepped up, with Barcola contributing a goal. The midfield trio, led by N’Golo Kanté, ensured control and fluidity in play, compensating for Mbappé’s absence and securing a convincing 4-1 victory.
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