The friendly match against South Africa at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille will have a special flavor for Raphaël Varane, born in the northern city and trained at RC Lens. This Tuesday, he will be promoted for his 85th cap in blue because coach Didier Deschamps has decided to put Mike Maignan in goal. The Manchester United defender spoke about the defensive system and he responded to Kylian Mbappé’s refusal to participate in Blues marketing operations last Tuesday.
Do you easily manage to go from a defense with 4 in club to 3 axial defenders plus 2 pistons in selection?
RAPHAËL VARANE. I’m more used to playing in a club defense at 4 but I also like in the axis of a defense at 3. These are different benchmarks, it’s important to have automatisms with teammates around. At the level of the recovery it is different because you have to find passing angles which I am less used to but it’s been a few games now and we have more and more benchmarks. It’s good, it’s an evolution. It’s good to always progress and adapt to new situations.
What is your reaction to Kylian Mbappé’s refusal to participate in marketing operations for the federation’s partners?
I discussed it with him. Basically, it’s obvious, there are things to change and improve afterwards on the form, we can discuss it. I think the federation (FFF) is also open to discussion. For us players, it doesn’t affect us more than that. We are focused on the field. Apart from that, it didn’t disturb us in group life and I think there will be an evolution and that’s normal. Now, on the side of Kylian as on the side of the FFF and the France group, there have been discussions and there will be further discussions. It’s normal. It’s part of our generation and the time we live in.
“Very proud”
You don’t mind being associated with brands that don’t suit you?
I have been faced with this kind of situation and other players too. It takes evolution and discussions. Now, as a player we feel concerned, we all have image rights. We are public figures, we are publicized. This is not the core of our business but it is part of it. It is normal that we discuss this.
What does it mean to you to play with the blue jersey in the North?
It is a great pride to come here with the jersey of the France team. I was born in Lille and grew up between Lille and Lens. This meeting will have a special flavor, there will be many people from my family.
You will be captain of the Blues for the 18th time, is that a source of pride?
Yes, immense pride. It’s always special to play in blue and wear the armband. I had the chance to wear it very early, at 21 years old. I try to bring my life and my experience to the group and to unite my teammates as much as possible.
Tomorrow Mike Maignan will keep the goals for the France team. Is it far from Lloris?
It’s up to the coach to answer. Mike is a player who has great qualities of explosiveness and a great kicking game. It also brings its character. He is a leader at heart and he transmits it to the group. He keeps progressing. He has a lot of talent.
As a former Lensois, do you fear being whistled?
There is no particular fear. We are proud to be here with the tricolor jersey. We hope for a warm welcome. We come with the desire to do well and to continue to progress.
Did you talk about the defensive concerns against Côte d’Ivoire?
Yes we have necessarily discussed it, friendly matches are used for that, to get in trouble, and it’s better that it happens in a friendly (smile). The coach’s instruction is to defend one against one behind. At the start of the match our block was not compact enough. There are things that we can still improve. Collectively we can do better. In the last match we saw that we had room for improvement at this level. It’s not a problem to be high on the pitch but you have to be compact and coordinate the pressing.