“You have been stringing together good performances since the start of the Euro. Has there been a turning point?
No, there was no particular trigger, I am continuing what I did in recent months at Barcelona. I feel good in this team, I try to adapt knowing that my vocation is above all defensive. And when there is space, I try to contribute as much as possible. It was a good configuration today (Monday) because Doku does not particularly like to defend. So I had space and I took advantage of the good movements of my teammates.
Were you surprised by Belgium’s very defensive face?
I was surprised, I thought they were going to be a bit more offensive. We really hampered them tactically, we made a lot of effort, all together, starting from the attack line. We have players who make you think, when you are an opposing defender, that you have to be a bit more cautious. I don’t think we played particularly defensively. From my point of view, it was one of our best matches since the start of the competition, we created a lot of chances even if we lacked precision. We played a match to win and this goal rewards all those efforts.
“I analyzed a lot my matches with Xavi in Barcelona, and in the French team”
Do you need Antoine Griezmann to unleash his attacking talent?
I think Antoine had another good game, he is one of the reasons why I also had a good game because he helped me a lot on the defensive side, by cutting the passing lines. Offensively, it is not his natural position, not the position where he is most comfortable, but I found that he had an influence on the game. He was valuable in the pass, the direction of the game. Obviously he can do better, we know his quality and we can all do better. But I think he had a good game.
After having had a bit of a lull in Barcelona, do you think you are living your best period in blue?
I had a bit of a dip after coming back from injury, I wasn’t playing my best football, it was in a desire to play a bit more offensively, and behind I didn’t have the strength to make the defensive efforts, it cost me a few times. As usual in periods of less good, I took refuge in work, I analyzed my matches a lot with coach Xavi in Barcelona and in the French team. I feel good physically, I have the confidence of my teammates, of the coach, and yes, we can say that I am going through my best period in blue.
