Didier Deschamps has challenged Michael Olise to carry his outstanding form into the World Cup after the Bayern Munich winger scored a brilliant hat-trick in France’s 3-1 warm-up victory over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday.
Olise was the standout performer in a star-studded French attack that also featured Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele. The Paris Saint-Germain duo had been rested for France’s previous friendly, a defeat to Ivory Coast, following their Champions League triumph.
The 22-year-old struck twice from rebounds either side of half-time before sealing the win with a superb curling effort from outside the box. Northern Ireland had briefly threatened a comeback when Patrick Kelly pulled a goal back, but Olise’s third ensured France finished strongly.
“We’ll need a Michael Olise at that level,” Deschamps said. “Michael stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us.
“He has achieved some really great things, he is full of confidence. He also has the ability to put in the effort, which is remarkable.”
France also received a boost with the return of Arsenal defender William Saliba, who shook off an injury scare to feature in a line-up that could closely resemble the side Deschamps selects for their World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.
Despite the victory, Les Bleus were not always fluent in attack. Captain Mbappe, who is one goal away from equalling Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record, struggled to make his usual impact as Northern Ireland defended deep and forced France to work for openings.
Still, the hosts maintained pressure throughout, forcing desperate blocks and rushed clearances from the visitors.
With the Lille stadium roof closed on a cold and wet evening, play was stopped for drinks breaks midway through each half as France continued their detailed preparations for World Cup conditions.
France will travel to their training base near Boston on Wednesday before facing Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway in Foxborough as part of Group I.
