The Blues conceded the draw (1-1) after a meeting marked by the diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Paris about Syria.
The French authorities feared possible excesses in this encounter at risk between France and Turkey, Monday, October 14 at the Stade de France, qualifying match for Euro 2020. But no major incident has tarnished the match between the two teams , who split on a parity score (1-1), in a context tense by the diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Paris after the Turkish military operation against the Kurdish forces of Syria.
"It's not to show a negative attitude. It's just to support our soldiers. It's a gesture of support "Turkish coach Senol Günes
Political leaders on all sides had called for the cancellation of the meeting and the security apparatus had been strengthened. In the stands, the national anthems were respected and The Marseillaise, whistled in the first leg on June 8, was even applauded by some of the Turkish fans. Only a banner in support of the Kurds, on which was inscribed "Stop killing the Kurds" in red letters, was unveiled for a few seconds in the last minutes of the meeting, before the intervention of the stewards under the boos of the Turkish fans.
Moments earlier, the Turkish players had, in front of their supporters, celebrated their equalizing goal of a controversial military salute. The images, not broadcast live on television, have been widely used on social networks and by Turkish pro-government media. "It's not to show a negative attitude, defended Senol Günes, the Turkish coach, after the match. It's just to support our soldiers. It is a gesture of support. " This gesture, already seen against Albania on Friday, October 11, could be sanctioned by UEFA, however, which prohibits references to the policy on the ground.
Giroud three goals from Platini
In sports, this draw does not make the business of the team of France, which will have to win against Moldova, November 14 at the Stade de France, to validate its qualification for Euro 2020. The space six minutes, Olivier Giroud had thought he was going to play the saviors again in team France. Scorer on his first ball, four minutes after his entry into the game, the striker Chelsea still unblocked the situation in a match where the Blues struggled to realize their opportunities.
"It's a shame, we had done the hardest by scoring this goal and we are joined in the last moments. It's annoying »Olivier Giroud
In this shock of the playoffs which pitted the two leaders of the group H, neither Antoine Griezmann (17e, 21e, 36e), nor Moussa Sissoko (17e, 25e), nor Lucas Hernandez (55e) had failed to find the fault. It was not until the Chelsea player's determination – his 38e goal in team France – to see the Tricolores finally pierce the Turkish wall (76e). But eight minutes from the end of the game, defender Kaan Ayhan capsized his side by equalizing their only shot of the match, a draw that was celebrated as a victory by the Turks. "It's a shame, we had done the hardest by scoring this goal and we are joined in the last moments. It's annoying, regretted the French striker at the end of the meeting.
Disappointed not to have been tenured, Olivier Giroud responded in the best way to the coach Didier Deschamps, who had preferred Wissam Ben Yedder at the forefront of the attack. "The reflection was long, explained Didier Deschamps after the meeting. Wissam is a player in small spaces, mobile against a rather athletic defense. Olivier, even though he made 75 good minutes (in Iceland), following three days after having already had a small knee problem before the game … "
A physical embarrassment that does not seem to have handicapped Giroud during his twenty minutes spent on the ground. Already a goalscorer against Iceland on Friday (1-0), the 33-year-old has come a little closer to Michel Platini, second-leading scorer in the history of the France team (41 goals). "That's why I take it and trust it, even if it's complicated in a club situation"commented the French coach.
Blessed in Blue, banished to the Blues
As Olivier Giroud knows: this thinning among the Blues will not remove his problem among the Blues. In Chelsea, coach Frank Lampard has only played 191 minutes since the start of the season. Not really likely to reassure the French staff, which has increased the warnings to his striker during the past week. "His situation will not last, he knows it", Guy Stephan warned, the assistant of Didier Deschamps.
Olivier Giroud is looking for a solution. He does not rule out a departure from the London club to find play time. "I can not settle for what I have in Chelsea today. The priority is to stay. But if I'm forced to make a choice, I'll do it, like when I left Arsenal. " For the French striker, the goal is clear: to be a new club holder to claim a place among the twenty-three players selected for Euro 2020.
