REACTIONS – The players of the France team wanted to be positive despite the draw against Austria on Friday evening (1-1).
Special envoy to Vienna
Karim Benzema: “We lacked a bit of success, goals, because we had a lot of chances. Their goalkeeper made good saves too. But we managed to come back. We really wanted to win this game. In the second half, we came back with much more desire, we played higher, we pressed, and we deserve better than a draw. There’s a lot of fatigue, everyone knows that, but we’re not going to find any excuses. We are disappointed, that’s for sure, but we continue. (On Griezmann’s struggles) I’m not here to judge so-and-so. We are here to help all players, no matter who scores. What matters is that he continues to work, and at some point or another he is going to score, and I hope for him, and for us too, that he will score in the next game, or that he will make an assist. But for me, that’s not what you need to look at in his game. He makes a lot of defensive moves, he helps the team, it’s just the success that he lacks. All the great players have experienced this, Zidane, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo. It will come back, for sure, he will score, and he must continue to help the team as he does. »
Read alsoDeschamps thanks Mbappé: “Kylian is Kylian”
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues: Griezmann in (great) suffering, attractive Kamara
Kylian Mbappé: “We didn’t get what we wanted before the game, we’ll take this point, we’ll work to try to win on Monday. (On his shot pushed back on the bar) It’s a shame, I try to fake the goalkeeper, but I don’t cross it enough, so he has the chance to take it and put it on the bar. I think we have to continue in the momentum of the last minutes. We have the desire to offer play, to play high and to be able to put the opponent in difficulty. (On Kylian Mbappé scorer) Yes, he made a good entrance, and he scored, but even those who entered brought a lot, freshness, in particular. (On the three games without a win) You shouldn’t worry, you should never worry. You have to be proud and try to improve. No worries. (On his physical form) If the coach needs me… there is one game left before the holidays. So we can force a little bit.
Hugo Lloris: “In the first period they were full of energy and as soon as there was a backward pass they had the ability to come and press. In the second half they slowed down and that allowed us to develop our game and have a lot of chances. From an accounting point of view, it is insufficient, but in terms of performance, there have nevertheless been some good things. We will do the accounts and the balance sheet at the end of this mini-championship (…) We must highlight the youth of our team which is doing very good things. You have to go through it, know and face this difficulty, it allows them to build up confidence and experience in view of the World Cup.