Liverpool duo Bradley Barcola and Jeremy Jacquet both started for France in their 1-0 Nations League win over Belgium on Monday night, according to Sports Mole.
It was Zinedine Zidane’s second game as France head coach, and he made nine changes. Only Mike Maignan and Maxence Lacroix kept their places.
For Jacquet, it was a first senior cap. The 21-year-old completed his move from Rennes in July and did not play in France’s opening win over Turkey. In Brussels he partnered Chelsea’s Lacroix in central defence.
Barcola played on the left of the attack until the 77th minute, when Michael Olise replaced him. Olise scored the only goal in the 88th minute.
The French papers published their player ratings afterwards, and the two Liverpool players finished at different ends of the scale.
Jacquet’s marks were the stronger.
L’Equipe gave him 8/10, the highest mark reported. Foot Mercato and Get French Football News both rated him 7/10, Le Parisien gave 6.5, and Eurosport France was lowest at 6/10.
Foot Mercato said he made no errors and looked composed despite having no senior international experience.
Get French Football News said he looked comfortable on the ball and was unfazed by the occasion.
Eurosport said Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere could not move him in duels, and that his passing broke the opposition’s lines.
The numbers backed that up. Jacquet made four tackles, the most in the France side, and won six of nine defensive duels. He completed 91.8 per cent of his passes and made 10 passes into the final third, a joint-high.
He was not fully satisfied. He told TF1 he could have done “much better” on two or three passes in the attacking phase.
Barcola’s marks were lower.
Ouest-France gave him 4/10 and Eurosport France gave 4.5, summing him up as “brouillon”, or messy. Foot Mercato, Get French Football News, L’Equipe and Le Parisien each gave him 5/10. Le Figaro Sport was the most generous at 5.5.
Eurosport said he started well, with a nutmeg and a run that should have won a penalty. It then said he faded through technical errors, including heavy touches and failed dribbles.
Le Figaro Sport also felt he should have had a penalty after being pushed from behind, but said he had nothing to show for his efforts.
Foot Mercato said his pace and runs in behind caused problems for Belgium’s defenders. It added that he was untidy with his final ball and tired physically in the second half.
Ouest-France said his pace remained a threat but he lacked a cutting edge, with one shot on target the only real highlight.
The mixed reviews follow a quiet start to his Liverpool career. Since joining from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, Barcola has made five appearances without a goal or assist.
Zidane was pleased with the wider picture. He said that despite the nine changes, “everyone is involved”, which he called great to see. France lead Group 1 of League A after two wins from two.
France host Italy on Friday and Belgium on Monday, both at the Stade de France.
Liverpool then welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday, October 11, with a 4.30pm BST kick-off.
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