France's UEFA Nations League loss to Italy shows Les Bleus' continuing decline: How low can Les Bleus fall?

PARIS -- France's 3-1 defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Friday is a continuation of what has become a worrying stagnation for the FIFA 2018 World Cup winners. Les Bleus went 1-0 up early on at Parc des Princes yet ended up being played off the field in a loss which disappointed head coach Didier Deschamps given that Bradley Barcola put the hosts ahead after just 13 seconds.

"I am always the one responsible, I make sure to tell them what I see," said the French tactician. "I knew very well that we were far from being at our best individually. We did not manage to keep up the first twenty minutes. It is very hard to keep up that for 90 minutes. Defensively, I saw mistakes. Athletically, we were also below par."

The result and performance was a continuation of the rot which had clearly set in by the time that UEFA Euro 2024 arrived with France scrapping into the semifinals before being undone by eventual winners Spain. The Italians blew this summer's defensive solidity apart three times in the French capital and Belgium's fast start to UNL League A Group 2 will not help Les Bleus' mood.

Why does Deschamps' France side suddenly look so labored?

Europe's new order

Whether France like it or not, there are European nations currently looking more likely to form part of the new continental order than Les Bleus. Euro winners Spain also beat the French to the Olympic men's soccer gold medal on home soil as well as triumphing at under-19 level in the same summer. Euro host nation Germany also appear primed to reinvent themselves under Julian Nagelsmann while beaten finalists England could now be let off the leash with Gareth Southgate gone. All three are expected to be Europe's leading powers for the next few international tournaments to come, but the feeling is not the same regarding the French despite arguably the deepest talent pool.

Kylian Mbappe's struggles

France's star man is struggling for form and Kylian Mbappe's difficulties are not only an individual problem for the Real Madrid man, but also an issue for Deschamps because he elected the 25-year-old as Hugo Lloris' replacement as captain which has only amplified things. Given their attacking talent, Les Bleus should not be experiencing these issues going forward and it is not exclusively Mbappe's burden. However, Mbappe's form with club and country has been questionable since the 2022 World Cup with his Real switch not yet changing previous issues from his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

Tough talent transition

A major factor in this collective decline has been a difficult transition from one talented generation to another. Although there is an argument to say that France has fewer truly world class talents than before, there is still potential star power on the rise with the likes of the impressive Barcola who is not only thriving without Mbappe at PSG but also now starting to put his former Parisien teaMMAte in the shade at international level. Deschamps finding reliable replacements for key individuals such as Lloris and Raphael Varane has been doable, but the succession of Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante continues to be problematic. The same can be said of the post-Olivier Giroud era which started in Germany this summer.

Zinedine Zidane waiting

Complicating things further is the fact that Deschamps is acutely aware of the fact that one day -- sooner or later -- he will be replaced by former Juventus and France teaMMAte Zinedine Zidane as head coach. The ex-Real tactician has been out of work long enough to have potentially stepped into the role after the World Cup cycle of 2022 or the Euro cycle of 2024 although many would argue as early as the Euro 2020 cycle in 2021. With Deschamps seemingly secure until 2026, it seems likely that Zidane's wait will continue but what if he is made to wait too long for the job that he is seemingly destined for?

Could Deschamps go post-UNL?

A bad UEFA Nations League is not certain to change that, but depending on the severity of France's poor performances which have already been as soporific as it gets, it could force action to be taken in early 2025. At this point, such a change would likely have to come from Deschamps as the French Soccer Federation is unlikely to dismiss him before his contract is up, but given the frosty turn in relations between the current boss and the likes of Griezmann, it does suggest that some players could start to turn against Deschamps before long. If this heavy home defeat to Italy does not act as an electroshock, then France will be entering dangerous territory as Les Bleus gear up for a crack at 2026.