PLAYER RATINGS | France 1-2 Germany: Muller and Sane goals down flat France

France v Germany, International Friendly, 12/09/23

Goals from Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané proved the difference between France and Germany (2-1), despite a late consolation from Antoine Griezmann. France were much changed from their victory against the Republic of Ireland last week and were lacklustre as they fell to their first defeat since the World Cup final against Argentina.

Mike Maignan – 4

Théo Hernandez – 4

William Saliba – 3 – The Arsenal man struggled, especially in the early stages, looking sloppy in and out of possession in his slightly unnatural position at left-centre-back. He should have been tighter to Müller for Germany’s opener, although in truth, Germany’s early dominance was the result of France’s collective defensive shortcomings.

Jean-Clair Todibo – 3 – Like his centre-back partner, Todibo looked uncertain and unsteady at times. The OGC Nice centre-back was making his debut for Les Bleus, and he looked nervy. He was at fault for Germany’s second goal, his sloppy pass being easily intercepted and leaving his teammates exposed.

Benjamin Pavard – 4

Adrien Rabiot – 5

Eduardo Camavinga – 6

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 5

Kingsley Coman – 7 – The brightspark for France. He looked dangerous every time he got on the ball, and his dribbling fluidity had Germany’s defenders retreating. Ousmane Dembélé has yet to completely convince in a France shirt, and more performances like that will give Deschamps a selection headache.

Randal Kolo Muani – 3 – If this was his audition to take Giroud’s number nine jersey, he didn’t pass. There are plenty of mitigating factors including Deschamps’ formation change, France’s general lack of fluidity and the reconstruction of the PSG forward’s fitness following an ankle sprain. However, Antonio Rüdiger had the better of the former Eintracht Frankfurt man on the night.

Antoine Griezmann – 6 – Always performs for France, and despite not being at his best, still got on the scoresheet and knitted play together nicely in France’s strongest periods of the match.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle