An emotional Dimitri Payet announces himself on day one of Euro 16 as the Frenchman’s sublime strike carries Les Bleus to victory over Romania.
France 2 Romania 1
Payet not only turned match-winner via his last minute curling 25-yard drive, he sparkled throughout and, along with the industry of N’Golo Kante, was the overwhelming influence on a stuttering French performance.
Didier Deschamps set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation, handing a start to Adil Rami (5.0) in central defence in light of recent injuries as expected. The French boss also elected to deploy Payet on the left of an attacking three. That delighted the 26% who opted for the 8.0-priced West Ham playmaker in their initial Uefa game line-ups, whilst Anthony Martial’s 11% ownership were left disappointed as the Manchester United striker was restricted to a bench role.
Martial (9.0) played his part, however, emerging to see action on 77 minutes. That was one of two rather surprising changes by Deschamps, who sacrificed both Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann in the second period with France struggling to stamp their authority on a stubborn Romania.
Deschamp’s changes turned the game in France’s favour as a shift in shape 4-2-3-1 saw Payet handed the freedom of a central attacking role behind lone striker Olivier Giroud. The pace of substitutes Martial and Kingsley Coman (6.5) enlivened France on the flanks and enabled Payet to exert more influence.
Pogba and Griezmann went into the opening match with 46% and 34% ownership in the Uefa game. While both will surely start against Albania on Wednesday, Deschamps clearly has options that will threaten pitch time and possibly their starts in the third encounter against Switzerland.
Payet’s performance undoubtedly cements his starting role – his goal was supplemented by the assist for Giroud’s opener – one of eight chances created for team-mates on the night. The Hammer’s man also provided 13 crosses, ensuring that he returned a haul of 31.75 points in DraftKings and elevated him to essential status in the game for future contests.
Giroud wasted opportunities on the night but converted a second-half header from Payet’s cross to ensure that his 11% ownership will be content. The 8.5-priced striker is another seemingly assured of his start in Deschamps first choice line-up – Giroud has now scored eight goals in his last six starts for France.
The Arsenal striker was the favoured option in our captain poll with 54% of the vote prior to kick-off – despite the goal, it would seem likely that many of Giroud’s backers will consider shifting the armband to alternative Matchday one options.
Romania provided worthy opposition in the opening fixture and exposed French fragility at the back on more than one occasion. Bogdan Stancu (6.5) converted a second-half penalty but had two other gilt-edged opportunities to notch prior to his spot-kick.
Nicolae Stanciu (5.5) maintained his performance levels from recent friendlies to impress in midfield – he earned the assist for Bogdan’s penalty and provided three chances for team-mates, while his dead-ball delivery from corners panicked France throughout. Stanciu will backed for further returns over Romania’s remaining group A matches.
