With France winning 2-0, it was the first clean sheet for the French defence in the tournament.

There was a bit of luck involved with that clean sheet as Albania hit the post and the follow-up header from the Albanian player on the floor went wide.

France's defender Laurent Koscielny reacts after France beat Albania 2-0 in the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE
France’s defender Laurent Koscielny reacts after France beat Albania 2-0 in the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE

Koscielny is still working on his partnership with Rami at the heart of France’s defence and his partner actually delivered the assist for Griezmann’s opener.

Kos also had a chance to open the scoring, but he did not manage to head the ball delivered from a set piece expertly by Payet.

France's defender Laurent Koscielny (L) vies for the ball against Albania's forward Armando Sadiku during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE
France’s defender Laurent Koscielny (L) vies for the ball against Albania’s forward Armando Sadiku during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE

The Arsenal man also made an excellent goal-saving headed-clearance from a dangerous cross. He cleared the ball out for a corner while an Albanian forward was lurking at the far post.

What is missing at the moment is Koscielny’s contribution to the attacking play, as none of the centre backs are helping with that. Early vertical balls or bringing the ball from the back and creating uncertainty in the opposition’s defence has been missing from this France side.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 15: Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha of Albania stretches for the ball as Laurent Koscielny of France heads at goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha of Albania stretches for the ball as Laurent Koscielny of France heads at goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Overall, a good performance that needs improvement in the next game.

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