U-19 Euros: France start with win
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Bernard Diomede's France side got their U-19 European Championship campaign underway in Northern Ireland on Tuesday afternoon, notching a 2-1 win against Türkiye to open Group B in Belfast. Türkiye took the lead early doors from a set piece, but France battled back, eventually securing all three points with a late penalty.
A nervy start...
Facing a Türkiye side without the likes of Arda Güler and Kenan Yildize, both of whom had participated with the senior side at the Euros, France would have felt confident to start the match, as manager Bernard Diomede was able to call on several faces familiar to fans of Ligue 1, including Olympique Lyonnais right back Saël Kumbedi, Stade de Reims midfielder Valentin Atangana and Paris Saint-Germain's Senny Mayulu.
Despite that experience, the match was just four minutes old when Türkiye snatched the lead as France left Yiğit Fidan unmarked at the back post, the defender all too eager to crash home the opener. France nearly drew level on 16 minutes through Atangana, whose own header from a corner was denied by a magnificent save from Mert Bayram.
...but a strong response
It would take the match progressing into the second half, and a raft of changes from Diomede, for France to equalize, with AS Monaco's Lucas Michal leveling the match with his own impressive header just past the hour mark. Having dominated the match, France would take the lead five minutes from time as another Monégasque, Simon Bouabré was brought down in the box. Stade Rennais defender Jérémy Jacquet converted, and Les Bleuets had all three points ahead of Friday's match against Denmark.
Reactions:
Lucas Michal, AS Monaco: "I'm very proud to have scored. Conceding in the first four minutes hurt the team, but I was ready to come on and give the team energy. Most importantly, I'm happy that we won."
Bernard Diomede, Manager: "I'm very happy with the win. It was a win for all 21 players and the 12 staff members. Every player was focused, so the players that came off the bench had a lot of impact. We can count on the whole squad, and the composure of the team is very important
Lineup:
4-3-3: J. Bengui João; S. Kumbedi, J. Jacquet, A. Soumahoro, D. Assoumani; V. Atangana (J. Bahoya 56'), Y. Gomis (M. Amougou 69'), M. Benama; T. Gomis (L. Michal 46'), S. Ngoura (A. Aiki 80'), S. Mayulu (S. Bouabré 69')
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