France's Formation Change Against Albania Signals End of Franck Ribery Comeback

On Friday night, France drew 1-1 with Albania at the Stade de la Route de Lorient in the first of two friendlies during this international break. Didier Deschamps decided to move away from the 4-3-3 formation that he used during the World Cup, adapting to 4-3-1-2 in order to accommodate Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

That change could be the moment that scuppers any international comeback for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

The 31-year-old Ribery missed out on the 2014 World Cup squad due to a back injury, and in August, he announced his retirement from international football, saying he wanted to concentrate on his family and his work at Bayern Munich, according to German magazine Kicker (h/t BBC Sport).

Over the next month, there was a bizarre series of quotes leading to confusion over the Frenchman’s future with Les Bleus. UEFA president Michel Platini announced in an interview with Bild (h/t BBC Sport) that Ribery would be in breach of FIFA regulations if he rejected a call from Deschamps.

In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt (h/t BBC Sport), Ribery explained that he took his decision after a conversation with Deschamps, making Platini’s comments just a tad bizarre and completely lacking understanding of the situation.

Just last month, the player’s agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, hinted that Ribery could change his decision.

"He made the decision because there were constant debates about him," Jean-Pierre Bernes told L'Equipe (h/t Goal.com). He went on to say: 

"

After his World Cup exit he was told that he is afraid of needles... that Les Bleus play better without him. When you hear that, it puts you in a negative frame of mind.

Franck is an emotional person. I am convinced that his decision is the right one.

There is no secret agreement with [France coach Didier] Deschamps that Franck will return.

Franck will be emotional in two years. Since all progress made has to do with emotions, we will see what happens on the big day. [But] today he only cares about the present.

"

Despite being in the running for the Ballon d’Or only 12 months ago, Ribery’s form hasn’t been on that level for some time, and as Bernes says, his form for Les Bleus has never been close to what he has achieved in the Bundesliga.

Any talk of a comeback also seems slightly premature for a player who has only started one game for Bayern Munich this season.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

In Deschamps’ 4-3-3 formation, there was always a chance that Ribery could have returned to playing on the left wing, but it would have been at the expense of either Antoine Griezmann—who scored France’s equaliser on Friday—or Karim Benzema.

Without Ribery, France has looked more together, playing an expansive, free-flowing style—something unseen in the Ribery era.

On Friday, to accommodate the in-form Lacazette, Deschamps changed to 4-3-1-2, and despite the draw against Albania, there were a whole host of positives for Les Bleus to take from the game.

The formation allows for more freedom from the attackers. It gives Deschamps more flexibility and has the potential to get the very best out of his current crop of players. However, the 4-3-1-2 has no real place for Ribery.

France’s width now comes from the full-backs. Lucas Digne started at left-back, and he is the future of the French left side, along with the equally attacking Layvin Kurzawa of Monaco. Ribery all too often hugged the left flank and took up the space that you saw Digne and Kurzawa occupy on Friday.

Thibault Camus/Associated Press/Associated Press

Patrice Evra played behind Ribery, and the Juventus man was happy to allow Ribery the more advanced role. With the three-man midfield protecting the defence, there is now no problem with the full-backs on either side providing the width.

In attack, the two forwards and a No. 10 are allowed to roam free, switching positions, linking up wherever the space appears.

It is hard to see Ribery playing a role in this new-look France side. It’s not that he isn’t a good player; it’s just a clash of styles and the matter that he’s not getting any younger.

Lacazette was also struggling to find a place in Deschamps' 4-3-3, but this new two-man attack is engineered to get the best out of the striker who has 11 goals for Lyon this season. It also gives Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac more opportunities to line up for France.

With a high number of young stars eager to win a starting spot for Les Bleus and a move away from a three-man attack, the chances of Ribery ever making a return for France look more remote than ever.