France cannot win without Mbappe in the starting 11

For French media and fans, the fact that their national team lost a friendly game and recorded a first defeat in 2023 was not so important as the fact that Kylian Mbappe didn’t play. Their best player had a small injury, and coach Didier Deschamps didn’t want to risk anything since it was only a friendly. Griezmann and Kolo Muani got an opportunity to start, and the first one scored from a penalty late in the game to soften the blow in a 2-1 defeat, equaling Thierry Henry in a number of French caps (123). It had been 36 years since Germany last won at home against France (two draws, four defeats). The last time was August 12, 1987, thanks to a double from Rudi Voller, who was the German coach last night. But all that was not as important as the fact that France didn’t win in all four games in which Mbappe didn’t start.

French press have been all over this particular information. And the data is quite funny, considering the number of stars in the French team. Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Christopher Nkunku, Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema are just some of the names who are playing or used to play in the French attack recently, and yet, the most important one is not in the starting line-up, the French team cannot win, even in a friendly game against Germany, who was defeated in six consecutive matches prior to this one.

Finally a win for Germany, Mbappe remained on the bench for France

The first non-winning game without Mbappe was a draw against Croatia in June 2022 and then against Austria (League of Nations, group stage). He saved the day against the Austrians when he came in as the sub and equalized in the 83rd minute. He did play up front along with Benzema and Nkunku from the start against Croatia but still lost 1-0. This game doesn’t count (even it was a defeat), since the PSG striker started the match, but at the World Cup Deschamps' men lost against Tunisia (1-0) in the group stage of the World Cup. And last night was their fourth defeat without Mbappe to start the match. Quite a remarkable piece of information, considering how strong the France team is.

“Kylian has a problem with his patellar tendon following yesterday's training Monday. It's not serious, but it's a problem that bothers him and with risks too. So if he doesn't start, it's not bringing him back that will improve his situation” explained Didier Deschamps to the L'Équipe after the game.