France lose 1-2 to Ivory Coast, Cherki shines

France lost 1-2 to Ivory Coast in a friendly at the Beaujoire stadium. The match was Les Bleus’ penultimate preparation before the FIFA World Cup. Rayan Cherki entered the game in the 78th minute and quickly became the standout player. After a subdued start, he sparked a 15‑minute spell that culminated in a spectacular goal for the Manchester City forward. His later attempts to force play in the second half were less effective, but his tricks and flicks continued to entertain the crowd. Didier Deschamps received an outpouring of support from the home crowd, including a large tifo and chants of his name. Banners and masks celebrating his tenure as former Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco manager highlighted the rare appreciation shown. Marcus Thuram, who plays for Inter Milan, displayed one of his better performances, linking well with Theo Hernandez and Kylian Mbappé. Although he did not add to his three‑goal tally in 34 caps, his movements created several key chances. Playing as a left‑forward, he benefited from Hernandez’s overlapping runs that allowed him to drift centrally. Jules Koundé, a Barcelona defender, struggled in the right‑back role against Ivory Coast. His defensive lapses gave Warren Zaire‑Emery of Paris Saint-Germain a comparative edge in the positional battle. Yan Diomandé’s defensive effort further highlighted Koundé’s lack of confidence and ball‑play. Ibrahima Konaté was identified as a loser in the match, with his form under scrutiny. His pending exit from Liverpool due to a back issue was confirmed. Ousmane Dembélé was rested for the friendly, adding to the selection challenges for Deschamps. Malo Gusto of Chelsea has not set the world alight, limiting his impact as an alternative right‑back. Since Euro 2024, speculation that Zinédine Zidane could replace Deschamps after the World Cup has fueled debate about the team’s direction. France will aim to address the highlighted defensive concerns before the World Cup begins. The performances of Cherki, Thuram and Deschamps provide optimism amid the setbacks.