The captain of the Blues took stock after the defeat in the final of the World Cup on Sunday in Lusail.
Special envoy to Lusail
Captain’s words “There are no words to ease the pain. The coach made an overall analysis. There were also strong words from the President of the Republic. It’s hard to find the words after such a defeat but we can be proud of what we did. We didn’t give up in the tournament and in the final, with a lot of resilience, but we were a little too reactive. It was like a boxing match. We went blow for blow and we saw two great teams. It is not played on much… But the difference between a finalist and a winner is enormous.
On arbitration : “No, the regret is the first period. We pass through. We were eaten in all aspects of the game, especially in aggressiveness, duels, second balls. We had too much technical waste. We came back with other intentions after the break and in the middle of the second half we felt that there was room to come back. We did it, also thanks to the talent of Kylian, who was able to carry the team through the important moments of the match. The extension was a bit crazy. It could have gone one way or the other. I even have the two actions in mind at 3-3 to score this fourth goal. It didn’t want to turn in our favor tonight… It’s painful. But you have to give a lot of credit to the France team with everything that happened, the injuries, all the circumstances, we still showed a good face.
The regrets of the first period: “By being down 2-0, we are not putting ourselves in the best conditions to play this final. We were able to force, come back twice. It created spectacle, opportunities on both sides, because we took the risks we had to. At 2-0, it took a lot of effort to come back, we did it, and we even still had the feeling of being able to continue… We also took a few counterattacks and it’s not much. This tournament can be used for the future of the France team. There is a handover that has taken place, between a generation arriving in the last phase and a new one, led by Kylian, who has shown strong leadership in this tournament. And even more in this final. We must continue to work in order to maintain the France team at this level. At the top. With the best, whether on the European or world stage.”
On his future in selection: “I’m not going to answer that question. I need to take a step back, to look up on things. We’ll see in a few weeks. We come out of a tournament like that empty. And even more at the end of a scenario like this evening. We have no more strength, just want to find our own.
On the virus: “We are not going to hide behind excuses. When I was talking about the circumstances, despite this virus, we tried to prepare for the match in the best way. The day of recovery less, it can count. But I don’t think that can explain the first period. Mentally, they were superior to us, in all aspects of the game, but I prefer to remember the reaction, pride, pride and talent.
Congratulations from the Argentines… or not: “Yes… afterwards, it’s a euphoric moment for them, that’s understandable. We were on the winning side four years ago. There, we are on the losing side… A final, even more so in the World Cup, it is painful to lose. But we have to be proud because we showed a very beautiful face in this tournament and that we honored our title of champion of 2018. We showed very beautiful things.
The future of Didier Deschamps: “It’s a decision for him. But after a game like that, it’s impossible to answer. Everyone ends the tournament exhausted but with the feeling of having given everything, despite the regret of the first period. It was a very good French team for a month. We have to keep working because we will have to do it again in a year and a half with the blue jersey.
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