Author of a high-level performance which made him the man of the match against Austria, N’Golo Kanté has received a host of praise since his return to the France team, notably from Blaise Matuidi. The former French international, who praised his impact when he took the ball, in an interview with Le Parisien.
Two interceptions, five duels won, 87% of successful passes… N’Golo Kanté made a big impression when the France team entered the fray at Euro 2024 against Austria, for his first official match with the Blues since June 3, 2022 (2-1 defeat against Denmark in the Nations League). The French midfielder was also elected man of the match thanks to his performance. Praised by many, Kanté notably received praise from Blaise Matuidi who gave an interview about him in Le Parisien.
“A capacity for destruction around him which is enormous”
Matuidi and Kanté rubbed shoulders for more than three years with the Blues (between March 2016 and October 2019) and the former PSG player therefore knows very well the man who was the boss of the midfield against Austria.
N’Golo Kanté particularly stood out for his striking shots against the Austrians without performing tricks like Ousmane Dembélé. Blaise Matuidi returned to this ability that the Al-Ittihad player has to gain meters on each ball catch. “We don’t rate him enough, because he’s not going to do leg passes to you, or other gestures of that type. In truth, he doesn’t need that. He’s a pretty exceptional player in his first touches of the ball, it’s very hard to take the ball back from him, and I’m in a good position to talk about it (laughs).
Essential in the midfield, N’Golo Kanté is effective on both sides of the field, capable of saving his team with a saving return on Patrick Wimmer (85th) but also of creating danger offensively with a breakthrough from midfield (punctuated by dribbles) to reach the opponent’s area and cross (65th).
