For Ireland supporters hoping to face an out of sorts France side on Monday evening, they probably would not have been pleased with the events that unfolded at the Stade de France last night.
Facing a Netherlands team missing a couple of key players, the hosts wasted no time in making their intentions clear for the remainder of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. They were 3-0 up inside 22 minutes, going on to win 4-0 on the back of goals from Kylian Mbappe (x2), Antoine Griezmann, and Dayot Upamecano.
𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄! 🇫🇷
Scores his second and France's fourth! 🔥
He was toying with the Dutch defence there! 💫#FRANED #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/8LbfTEh9bu— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 24, 2023
It was a timely reminder of the scale of the challenge that Ireland will be facing in their next fixture.
They will need to produce an incredible performance to have even a small chance of pulling off the upset, and while they will a capacity crowd cheering them on at Lansdowne Road, few will expect the home side to come away with a positive result.
France star expecting stern test against Ireland
While the French squad clearly possesses more quality than the Irish one, you'd imagine it is unlikely that they will approach this fixture with any sort of complacency. The elite mentality within their group would not allow for carelessness to creep in ahead of the game.
Speaking after the win over the Dutch, France and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said that he was expecting a big test in Dublin on Monday.
It will be a difficult match against a great team, we know there will be a lot of atmosphere.
The public will push them, but it will be up to us to respond present in the duels and in the quality of what we will do offensively to leave with a good result...
We showed great things during this World Cup. Now, a new adventure begins for us with this qualifying phase.
It's very good what we did at the World Cup but now we will have to show the same thing in the matches that await us. Today, we are sending a good message, but there are others to send on Monday against Ireland.
France will certainly want to take three points from the Ireland game in order to cement their position at the top of the group.
They are likely to play a very strong side once again for that fixture, although manager Didier Deschamps has hinted that he could make a couple of changes to the side.
Those who didn't play did a little session after the game. I will decide on Monday. It is possible that there are some changes.
I think Ireland looked at us quietly, and in terms of intensity, it will be another fight to fight.
Judging by these comments, it's clear that France will not underestimate Ireland ahead of the game in Dublin.
From an Irish perspective, we will certainly be hoping for an off day from one of the world's best teams.
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