‘We have a different team’: Revenge for Euro exit drives France ahead of Spain semi-final – The Guardian

France arrive in the European Championship semi-finals with a point to prove. Two years after their quarter-final exit to Spain at Euro 2022, Didier Deschamps’s side have rediscovered the ruthlessness that once defined them, and they do so with a clear narrative: revenge. The 2-1 victory over Germany in Lyon on Tuesday was not merely a win; it was a statement of intent ahead of Friday’s clash with Spain in Munich. “We have a different team,” Deschamps said after the final whistle, and the numbers back him up. France have conceded just one goal in their last four knockout-stage matches, a stark contrast to the defensive frailties that plagued their group-stage campaign.

From Lyon to Munich: a team reborn

The transformation is visible. France’s attack, once criticised for its lack of cohesion, now pulses with purpose. The front three of Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembélé have rediscovered their chemistry, combining for both goals against Germany. Mbappé’s brace—his first in a major tournament since the 2022 World Cup final—was the spark, but the real story was the collective shift in mentality. Deschamps has reshaped his side into a more direct, vertical unit, prioritising transitions and exploiting spaces behind Germany’s high line. The result was a performance that felt more like the France of 2018 than the tentative side that struggled to break down Austria in the group stage, when they managed just 1.3 xG in a 1-1 draw.

Defensively, France have tightened their resolve. William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano formed a composed partnership at the back, with Saliba making 12 clearances and Upamecano completing 21 passes under pressure in Lyon. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga shielded them with a disciplined midfield display, combining for 92% pass accuracy in the first half alone. The backline, once porous—conceding three goals in their opening two group games—has conceded just one goal in the knockout stages, a 90th-minute equaliser from Niclas Füllkrug that was swiftly answered by Mbappé’s 90+2 winner. Deschamps’s adjustments have paid dividends, and the semi-final against Spain offers the perfect stage to showcase their progress.

The Spanish question: can they handle the heat?

Spain arrive in Munich with their own questions. Their 3-0 dismantling of Georgia in the quarter-finals was impressive, but the real test awaits against a France side that has rediscovered its edge. The Spanish midfield, anchored by Rodri and Pedri, will face its sternest examination yet. France’s pressing intensity has surged in the knockout stages, with their defensive line pressing 12 metres higher than in the group stage, forcing opponents into errors. Germany managed just 37% possession in Lyon, a figure that underlines France’s ability to absorb pressure—and then strike with precision.

Spain’s reliance on possession has been their hallmark, but France’s counter-attacking threat is now too potent to ignore. The semi-final could hinge on whether Spain can impose their game or whether France’s newfound aggression will force them into unfamiliar territory. One thing is certain: this will not be a comfortable night for Luis de la Fuente’s side. Their average possession share in knockout matches this tournament is 61%, but against a France side that has conceded just 0.25 xG per game in the knockout stages, the margin for error is razor-thin.

A tactical chess match awaits

Deschamps’s approach against Germany was a masterclass in adaptability. He switched to a 4-2-3-1, with Griezmann operating as a false nine to link play, while Mbappé and Dembélé stretched Germany’s defence. The substitutions—Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola injecting fresh legs—froze the game in the final 20 minutes, a period where France’s intensity overwhelmed their opponents. Spain, for all their technical quality, will need a similar plan to unsettle France’s structure. Their full-backs, Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella, averaged 78% pass accuracy in the group stage but will need to be more adventurous to counter France’s width.

The midfield battle will be pivotal. Camavinga’s energy and Tchouaméni’s composure could neutralise Rodri, while the width provided by Dembélé and Barcola will test Spain’s full-backs. If France can force Spain into long spells of defensive organisation, their counter-attacks could prove decisive. Spain’s defence, led by Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand, will need to be at their best to contain Mbappé’s runs. The French captain has averaged 3.2 dribbles per game in this tournament, a figure that rises to 4.1 in the knockout stages.

What comes next?

Friday’s semi-final is more than a match—it’s a redemption arc. For France, it’s a chance to erase the memory of Lyon 2022, when they were eliminated by Spain in a 2-1 defeat that exposed their tactical limitations. For Spain, it’s an opportunity to silence critics who question their tournament pedigree, particularly after their sluggish start against Croatia and Italy in the group stage. Deschamps’s side have the momentum, but Spain’s technical superiority cannot be dismissed. One team will advance to the final; the other will face an existential crisis.

The stage is set for a clash of styles: France’s firepower against Spain’s precision. The question is whether Deschamps’s “different team” can deliver when it matters most. All signs point to yes—but in Munich, the margins will be paper-thin.