the Blues are trying to put on a good face in the face of rumors…

The French team enters the money time of Euro 2024. After a very sluggish group phase, the reigning world vice-champions failed to finish first in their group. Result: they will face Belgium next Monday at 6 p.m. near Düsseldorf. The Red Devils have lost their luster compared to the last clash between the two nations in 2018, but France is clearly not guaranteed to easily advance to the quarterfinals. The reason ? An atmosphere within the France group described as tense.

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Between a more incisive Didier Deschamps with his lieutenants and grumpy substitutes, it’s not exactly joy for the Blues. A feeling widely discussed by all the French media, especially after the match against Poland where the choice to do without Antoine Griezmann and the coaching of DD at the hour mark caused a lot of talk. Faced with these waves of attacks, the French staff sent, ironically, its two central defenders to a press conference to put out the fire. The opportunity for William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano to give us a well-crafted speech, intended to calm things down.

To read
French team: Antoine Griezmann has it really bad!

The Blues deny any bad atmosphere

“I can confirm to you that we are still friends, that hasn’t changed in eight days. We all have the same objective, of course everyone wants to play, but it’s not because there are some who don’t start that they will disrupt the group. I don’t think we’re sick since we’re in eighth grade. Both teams can do better, but we are in eighth. We are going to play a big match on Monday. We’re going to prove that we deserve to be there and that we want to go all the way.”Saliba said, before Upamecano followed suit. “Everything is going very well, we are qualified, I am happy. The training is going very well. We will have a lot more time to prepare for these next matches. Everything is going well, we are in a very good state of mind, we all want the same thing. We will all have to be together. (…) A less good atmosphere? No, like I said, we get right into it, it’s a match where, if you don’t win, you go out, we try to concentrate on that. Kylian’s nose is better. I have nothing else to say. Playing in the round of 16 is not for everyone. We are aware of it. We will do everything to win this match. The most important thing is that we are a group. If the group lives well, everything will go well because we have the qualities”.

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I promise, I swear, everything is fine with the Blues. Even for Antoine Griezmann? No doubt unhappy at having been sidelined against Poland, the Atlético player really would not have accepted this choice. But again, everything is fine according to Upamecano. “Antoine is our second captain, he is in a very good state of mind. Before the match (against Poland, editor’s note), he encouraged us a lot, he was smiling. Everyone knows Antoine, he is an example for all of us here. » Does that mean that the Blues will have more difficulty winning without their number 7? “You have to know that we are a group. Everyone wants to play, not everyone is happy when they don’t start, but if we want to go far, we will have to be united, fight together. Antoine is a very important player, it’s not me who makes the team’s choices. We’re a group and we’re going to go together. » Finally, same question for Didier Deschamps. The historic coach of the Blues is described as more closed and critical towards his players including his leaders. Simple feeling or reality? “No, the coach feels very good. I don’t see what the answer is going to give you. He is as usual, he gives instructions. He is someone important to me and the team. We will listen to the instructions and we will do everything to seek victory against Belgium. » Get out, there’s nothing to see!