Worst on the Pitch! French Scapegoat Marcus Thuram's Blunder Sparks Worldwide Mockery and Angers Deschamps: Do You Understand Football?

In the 73rd minute of France’s opening match in the Euro 2024 against Austria, Marcus Thuram made a daring run into the left side of the penalty area. Surrounded by defenders, he executed a series of flashy stepovers that had Austrian fans on the edge of their seats, while French supporters stood up in anticipation, hopeful of witnessing a masterpiece that would be replayed for decades. However, Thuram's final shot was anticlimactic, causing French fans to slump back into their seats in disappointment while Austrian fans expressed their relief with a collective sigh.

The once-promising move had turned into a debacle, resulting in widespread mockery from around the globe. Following the match, French sports newspaper L'Équipe handed Thuram and teammate Ousmane Dembélé the lowest rating of 4, a rare and humiliating score, branding Thuram as the scapegoat for France's failure to secure a more decisive victory. Social media was ablaze with criticism, not just of Thuram, but of coach Didier Deschamps, with many accusing him of nepotism: “Thuram doesn’t deserve to play for a powerhouse like France, let alone start in such a crucial match! He's only in the team because he’s Deschamps' ‘nephew,’ with Deschamps doing a favor for his old teammate and friend, Lilian Thuram. This is unfair, an abuse of power, pure cronyism!”

Unjust Criticism?

Is the criticism of Thuram warranted? In my view, it’s largely unjustified. These harsh critiques have enraged Deschamps, who defended Thuram vehemently in a post-match press conference: “You say Thuram had a bad game? Did you not see his defensive contributions? Did you not notice his running distance? In my opinion, he played very well!”

The infamous stepover incident itself reveals the primary reason for Thuram's lackluster performance in attack: he was deployed as a workhorse, a blue-collar battler, which led to his exhaustion and subsequent ineffective offensive moves. Thuram covered a distance of 10,900 meters during the match, the second-highest in the French squad. To put this in perspective, Thuram’s average running distance for Inter Milan in Serie A this season is 9,000 meters per game. This represents an over 20% increase for the national team.

While this may not seem significant, consider that Thuram’s playing style involves frequent sprints and high-intensity runs rather than steady paces, leading to substantial physical tolls, unlike midfielders or defensive midfielders. Despite not shining offensively (with three shots totaling an expected goals (xG) value of 0.25, yet no goals), Thuram was instrumental defensively. Remarkably, as a forward, he made two crucial clearances in his own penalty area and one vital tackle. Moreover, he engaged in 16 physical duels (nine on the ground, winning five and losing four; seven in the air, winning five and losing two), was fouled twice, and committed two fouls, indicating a match-long battle with opponents.

Dembélé faced a similar situation, with 11 physical duels, though his defensive involvement and running intensity were slightly less than Thuram’s. Both players were significantly taxed, largely to allow Kylian Mbappé to conserve his energy for attacking duties. As the saying goes, football often involves “eight or nine players carrying the piano, with one or two playing it,” and Thuram was one of the workhorses in the French team.

Tactical Misalignment

Another factor contributing to Thuram's subpar performance was tactical misalignment. At Inter Milan, Thuram typically plays as one of two strikers. However, within France’s 4-2-3-1 system, he struggles to find his place. Additionally, Thuram was positioned as a left winger, which is normally Mbappé’s domain, necessitating frequent positional adjustments to the right flank or even the center forward role to engage in physical battles, leading to a sense of disorientation.

This tactical mismatch, coupled with his physically demanding role, explains why Thuram’s attacking contributions fell short. It’s not a question of effort or capability but rather the heavy burden of defensive responsibilities, akin to Nicolò Barella at Inter Milan, who also endures a dip in personal statistics due to his extensive involvement in the dirty work.

Deschamps’ Defense

Deschamps’ fiery defense of Thuram is understandable given the context. The young forward was tasked with an exhausting role that involved extensive running, defending, and physical duels, making it unfair to judge his performance solely based on his offensive output. Deschamps pointed out that Thuram’s role was crucial in maintaining the team's balance and providing cover for more offensively focused players like Mbappé.

Thuram’s defensive statistics further bolster Deschamps’ argument. His work rate and willingness to engage in defensive duties highlight his importance to the team's overall strategy. It’s a role that often goes unrecognized but is vital for the team’s success. Thuram’s contributions off the ball, his tactical discipline, and his physical resilience are attributes that any coach would value highly.

Moving Forward

Despite the criticism and the unfortunate incident in the match against Austria, it’s important to remember that the tournament is just beginning. For a team as strong as France, with 16 out of 24 teams advancing from the group stage, these early matches are effectively warm-ups. Thuram has the opportunity to learn from this experience and come back stronger in the subsequent matches.

His versatility, work ethic, and physical presence make him a valuable asset to the French team. As the tournament progresses and the tactical demands evolve, Thuram is likely to find his rhythm and make significant contributions to the team's success. Deschamps’ faith in him is not misplaced, and the criticism, while harsh, will serve as a motivation for Thuram to prove his worth.

The widespread mockery and harsh criticism directed at Marcus Thuram after the match against Austria are largely unjustified. Thuram’s role in the team, his defensive contributions, and the physical demands placed on him paint a different picture. While his attacking performance may have been underwhelming, his overall contribution to the team’s effort cannot be overlooked. Deschamps’ defense of Thuram highlights the complexity of his role and the importance of his contributions to the team’s balance and strategy. As the tournament progresses, Thuram has the chance to silence his critics and demonstrate his true value to the French national team.