“Great pride”, “icing on the cake”, “good atmosphere”… The reactions of the Blues after France-Ireland

2023-09-08 04:46:51

11th selection and first goal in Blue for Marcus Thuram. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Aurélien Tchouaméni, Marcus Thuram and Dayot Upamecano expressed their feelings after the 2-0 victory over Ireland on Thursday at the Parc des Princes.

Aurélien Tchouaméni (midfielder of the French team, after the 2-0 victory over Ireland ) : «Mission accomplished… until today, we still have matches coming up. But of course we are happy because we wanted to continue our momentum. It’s done, we can be satisfied. (on his match) I felt good, I have been gaining momentum since the start of the season. And there is this goal which is the icing on the cake. So I’m happy. The staff analyzed the opposing team, we knew that we would face a very grouped block. Obviously, we had to try a few more strikes, that’s what we did. Mine came back, I’m happy. We work a lot on club shots. The coach (of Real Madrid) Carlo Ancelotti often rooms us with Eduardo Camavinga, telling us that we do not score enough. Today it paid off.

Regenerated after a difficult end to the season? Honestly, if you look at the content of my matches last season, it was good. Afterwards, there are questions of dynamics which mean that there are things that are a little less visible… I was criticized a lot but in the second part of the season I was injured, sick, and the dynamic was a little less positive for me but I kept confidence in myself, I worked, I kept the same mentality. Today, you can say that I am good. I am happy. Marcus Thuram? Very happy for him, he took another step forward by signing for Inter. It’s a very big European club and we’re happy to have him in the selection because he’s a top player, he showed it today. Hazing for a first goal? No (smile). We only congratulated him because we are super happy for him. Germany on Tuesday? We approach it with a lot of excitement. It’s a prestigious match. We are competitors and we will meet players with whom we play in the club. We calmed down a bit before leaving so we will have to respond (smile).” (in mixed zone)

Read alsoThe notes of the Blues against Ireland: Tchouaméni in the oven and in the mill, Mbappé and Dembélé clumsy

Marcus Thuram (striker of the French team, author of his first goal for the selection for his 11th cap) : «It’s a great pride, a great satisfaction. And what’s more, in a stadium like the Parc des Princes, it’s always nice to score in front of your family. Still one more goal in Blue than Lilian Thuram, her dad? Yes, it’s true (smile). I could have had two tonight, I hope it will be for the next matches but it’s nice to come away with the victory. The Blues almost qualified for the Euro? It is not assured until it is done mathematically. This is why we will continue to work, be focused, and approach each match to win. Almost perfect evening? A good evening (smile).» (on TF1)

We keep our feet on the ground.

Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano (defender of the French team) : «France almost at Euro 2024? It’s a good start but it’s not the end. Now we have to face Germany (Tuesday in a friendly). I’m going to go home and see some of my (Bayern) teammates, it’s going to be a bit weird! We will do everything to win this last match. Lucas Hernadez rather than Ibrahima Konaté as a hinge? I already played with him at Bayern, so there are not many differences, I feel good with both. (on the clean sheet) It’s very important for us not to concede a goal. Mike Maignan was great today in communication. Everything went well today, I hope it continues like this. The Blues serene? We all get along well on the team. Afterwards, we all have a little experience and we all play in big clubs. It was easy. Afterwards, we all know each other. For example, I played with Lucas for a long time at Bayern, I get on very well with him and the others too. There is a very good understanding, a good atmosphere, it can only go well.

Unbeatable? No, we keep our feet on the ground, we try to give the best of ourselves. There is still one match in Germany, we will try to win it. Marcus Thuram? Everyone knows him, good speed, he protects his ball well. He is a very dangerous striker, I played against him when he played for M’Gladbach. He’s an attacker who doesn’t give up, on every ball. I congratulated him, but he should have given two (smiles). Too bad for Olivier Giroud, who was injured… He’s a very important player. But the replacements made very good returns.” (in mixed zone)