The coach of the French team answered questions from the media on Monday evening, after the success against Belgium (1-2) during the 4th day of the Nations League.
His analysis of French success in Belgium: “What displeased me was what we did for 25/30 minutes, I expected aggression from the Belgians and we struggled to keep the ball. We were shaken. Afterwards it was better in the last quarter of the first half because we got out of the pressure zone. The 2nde period was better, we controlled better, maybe the Belgians also gave some energy. We covered the ground better. We had many chances and chances, although it is a game that could go one way or the other. Everything is not perfect, but the victory is there, and it is the merit of the players who finish on 10. It is good for this group, which is less experienced, to go through such games. There will be many things that need to be fixed. Belgium gave us problems with speed and percussion.”
The double of Kolo Muani, top scorer for the Blues in 2024: “I have no advice to give (to Luis Enrique), I am very happy with “Kolo”, he is performing well. I thought he was good with his back to goal, he has a very good heading game, it’s good for him and the group. He scores two goals, he has confidence and it shows in his game, I hope things go well at his club as well. I’ve always found him to have a somewhat cool nature, to the point of telling him to put intensity into what he’s doing. We must not forget where it comes from. There are demands, with his transfer price he hasn’t done everything well either. He’s more confident, that’s for sure.”
Basic success of the French team: “Yes, it is passengers, it is better to win them, obviously by suffering. The group is younger, has less experience. We had more adversity than Israel, it will help us. We have to put things right because the high level is very demanding. We made mistakes that we shouldn’t have made. After all, we won, and it is an important win in this group in terms of a possible qualification for the quarter-finals. Even when you win them, you have to score four goals each time. We did what we had to do tonight (Monday) with a rejuvenated group that has enthusiasm and focus.»
The feverishness of the defense: “We don’t concede many goals, but there are inevitably mistakes. It is also the opponent’s merit. With the ball, we had turnovers, which we must avoid. It’s also because of what we have in front of us, fast players who hit, it’s harder to defend.”
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The results from the Blues against Belgium: clinical Kolo Muani, magical Maignan, disastrous Saliba
I tell you again and again, but there is a very negative environment. I won’t say I know, I don’t know. But you need to take a step back before publishing anything and everything.
Didier Deschamps on Kylian Mbappé
Business around Mbappé: “Right now it’s getting out everywhere, no matter how. Between the part of things to do the true and the false. Info or misinformation… I didn’t discuss it with him. He is big enough to communicate. I tell you again and again, but there is a very negative environment. I won’t say I know, I don’t know. But you need to take a step back before publishing anything and everything. But if you give credit to someone… it sometimes leads you to things. I take a step back, but this is not a good thing for the French team.”
Why not have Wesley Fofana play at this gathering: “I have no regrets. In such a match, against such an opponent, I wanted players who had already played together. That’s what motivated my choice, even though I replaced Théo Hernandez with Lucas Digne. I know some people didn’t play, it’s not the best. Would this have gone better? I haven’t answered and neither have you. William (Saliba) and Ibou (Konaté) have known each other for a while, it doesn’t take away from Wesley’s quality, but I make sure not to put him in difficult situations.”
First place to play against Italy: “Ah, are you there already? (France, 2e in the group with 9 points, Israel and Italy meet, 1uh with 10 points in November). We already have to secure number 2e place, but we are not going to Italy to visit Milan. There will definitely be an opportunity (to be first). It is possible that in this match first place is at stake.”