Dayot Upamecano: Why Didier Deschamps Invited Guinea-Bissau Descent to French National Team

Dayot Upamecano: Why Didier Deschamps Invited Guinea-Bissau Descent to French National Team

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 21, 2023 at 9:13 AM
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  • Dayot Upamecano was blamed for making a series of blunders during Bayern Munich's clash with Manchester City
  • The Frenchman was initially shown a red card in the second-leg, but the decision was overturned after the linesman flagged Erling Haaland for offside
  • Here we look at Upamecano's origin and how the Guinea-Bissau descent ended up playing for the French national team

Manchester City had the last laugh against the very experienced Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, and Dayot Upamecano was in the spotlight in the second leg.

Drama ensued when the defender was sent off following a last-man foul on Erling Haaland, but with the lineman flagging offside, the red card was rescinded.

All through the encounter, Upamecano was singled out for a series of blunders and was even blamed for the opening goal by Erling Haaland.

Dayot Upamecano, France, Les Blues, Guinea Bissau
Dayot Upamecano has made 14 appearances for the French national team. Photo: Xavier Laine
Source: Getty Images

It was a tough night at the Allianz Arena as Bayern were condemned to going all out in their bid to upturn a three-goal deficit from the first leg.

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Haaland missed a penalty earlier in the game following a handball by Upamecano in the danger area, firing a wayward kick over the bar.

The Norwegian eventually opened the scoring to extend the tally, but Bayern managed to pull one back from the spot in the dying stages courtesy of Joshua Kimmich.

Manchester City are through to the semi-final of the Champions League after seeing off the Germans 4-1 on aggregate.

Where is Upamecano from?

The centre-back was born in Evreux, France, on October 27, 1998. He grew up in La Madeleine, a neighbourhood with many African immigrants.

His great-grandfather was a king of a village on the Island of Jeta in Guinea-Bissau, and he got his name after him.

His full name of Dayotchanculle is an honorary title for the village chief of Jeta Caoi, his family's hometown, ESPN reports.

How Upamecano earned Les Blues call up?

The impressive defender caught the eye of coach Didier Deschamps in 2020 and made his debut for the French senior national team during a UEFA Nations League game against Sweden.

He had played for several French Youth teams including the U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21, before he got the national team invitation. Deschamps said, as per GOAL:

“He's [Upamecano] a player we've been following for a long time. He is one of the players who was likely to come.
“He is very athletically, he goes fast, good in duels. The ball is not a problem for him, even if he must be careful not to abuse it too much at times. He's young, I felt it was time to prepare him. It is up to him to maintain this level. He still has a good margin of progress."

He has so far made 14 appearances for Les Blues, scoring two goals.

Commentator mocks Upamecano, Maguire comparison

Sports Brief earlier reported that a football commentator savagely compared Bayern Munich defender, Dayot Upamecano to Manchester United's embattled captain, Harry Maguire on April 19.

This happened during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Bayern and Manchester City at the Allianz Arena.

Just like in Manchester last week, where he was culpable for two goals, Upamecano was once again off the pace in front of his home fans.

 

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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