Michael Olise and the Game-Changing Tactical Switch That Powered France to Victory Over Senegal
France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, thanks in part to a stellar performance from Michael Olise. The young player's debut was marked by impressive stats, with a key factor being the halftime decision to swap positions with Ousmane Dembele, allowing Olise to play in a more central role.
In the first half, Olise's rating was average, with eight successful passes out of 10 in the final third. However, after the position switch, his passing game took off, creating two clear chances, one of which resulted in a goal. He racked up 0.93 expected assists, the second-highest in the tournament so far, and completed six out of seven entries into the box.
Olise's performance also had a significant impact on teammate Kylian Mbappe, who didn't get a single shot on target in the first half but managed four in the second. The team's overall performance improved significantly after the halftime adjustment, with Olise's pressing and forward runs proving particularly effective.
FIFA named Olise 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance, which included two breathtaking line-breaking passes. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if France manager Didier Deschamps adjusts his tactics for the second match against Iraq on Monday. The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 national teams, is currently underway in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for July 19th.
In the first half, Olise's rating was average, with eight successful passes out of 10 in the final third. However, after the position switch, his passing game took off, creating two clear chances, one of which resulted in a goal. He racked up 0.93 expected assists, the second-highest in the tournament so far, and completed six out of seven entries into the box.
Olise's performance also had a significant impact on teammate Kylian Mbappe, who didn't get a single shot on target in the first half but managed four in the second. The team's overall performance improved significantly after the halftime adjustment, with Olise's pressing and forward runs proving particularly effective.
FIFA named Olise 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance, which included two breathtaking line-breaking passes. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if France manager Didier Deschamps adjusts his tactics for the second match against Iraq on Monday. The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 national teams, is currently underway in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for July 19th.
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