France have hosted three major tournaments, won two of them but look very unlike making it a hat-trick.
For the second game in a row, they have failed to spark against so-called lower opposition.
The decision to rest the attacking prowess of Antoine Greizmann and Paul Pogba against Albania seemed to be another error from Didier Deschamps, the France manager, who had a partisan crowd on his back at the Stade Velodrome as they vented their frustration at the end of a goalless first half.
Deschamps had to thank Dimitri Payet for a late goal to rescue a victory from what would have been an embarrassing draw against Romania, ranked No 22 in the world, in France’s first game.
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And their second game against an Albanian team ranked another 20 positions lower than Romania, seemed to be following suit for a subdued France side lacking any bite.
Indeed, they should have been grateful they were not behind as Albania had three chances to open the scoring in the first 45 minutes.
Albania’s best chance saw Armando Sadiku stretch out a foot to meet a cross before Hugo Lloris, the France goalkeeper, intervened to scoop up the ball.
Pogba came on for the second half but it was more of the same to frustrate the home fans.
Albania had yet more of the ball after the break and again almost broke the deadlock.
Ledian Memushaj saw his first-time effort beat Hugo Lloris but strikes the bottom of the post. Griezmann came on and scored the goal to help give France a two-win, two-game record, heading home Adil Rami’s cross.
That record is far from impeccable.
There was gloss when Payet fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, but everyone will know this was a very unconvincing performance.
They have made it through from a weak group, but they will face much sterner tests when they face the likes of World Cup champions Germany.
They will be licking their lips.
msmith@thenational.ae
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