Chelsea target has a bad night at Euro 2012

Mathieu Debuchy of France and Lille started Euro 2012 with a performance against England that was described as outstanding. He marauded down the right flank, even giving Ashley Cole some serious problems.

Last night against Spain was an entirely different story. Maybe because he was played in a different position, or maybe he just had a bad night, but he looked like a different player. French coach Laurent Blanc tried to negate the threat of Spain’s midfield by pushing Debuchy further forward and playing another right back, Reveillere, behind him.

Blanc chose not to play Man City’s Samir Nasri from the start but it did not work and France struggled to make any impression. Debuchy did get himself into one of France’s few scoring opportunities but put his header over the bar.

Debuchy was also at fault for Spain’s opening goal. He let Jordi Alba get past him way too easily to cross the ball for Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid to head in the opener.He was put out of his misery after an hour when France made a double substitution. Florent Malouda was brought off as well.

Malouda struggled, as did all of the French side, to get any meaningful possession. The arrival of Nasri and Menez made no difference to the pattern of play and Spain added a late second.

One bad game when played out of position against the best team in the world should not be punished too severely, but Roberto Di Matteo may be having second thoughts about bringing Debuchy to Stamford Bridge.