Winning coaching for Didier Deschamps this Monday at the Merkur Spiel Arena in Düsseldorf. By bringing on Randal Kolo Muani in the 62nd minute of France-Belgium (1-0), in place of Marcus Thuram, the coach changed the round of 16 and allowed the PSG striker to score the only goal of the match. Enough to satisfy the Basque coach later in a press conference.
After the Netherlands, Belgium remained grouped behind. Why is France so scary?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. I can’t answer for them. We made a lot of progress in possession. Belgium remained cautious with more withdrawn positions despite a starting line-up with attacking players. We created more chances than Belgium. We didn’t give them the spaces they wanted. We control our matches more. We have the ball. It was the same against the Netherlands (0-0). It’s better to have the ball, attack and force the opponent to defend. We didn’t get caught out. The regret is the number of shots. By trying to put too much power, it goes off target. It’s a huge source of pride to be in the quarter-finals. Jules Koundé, who you’ve been scouring me for months, is man of the match. And Randal (Kolo Muani) scores! Which just goes to show that you always have to have a little restraint.
Why were you so jubilant at the end of the match, as you rarely do?
Oh really? It’s a high-level match. It was tight. For Belgium, it’s cruel but we did more than them. We were demonstrative. Nothing comes for free. It’s an important shift.
Why was Antoine Griezmann on the right?
You were going for a diamond, square, triangle. It’s just a question of balance. There are always one or two players like that in the name of the collective. He does it regularly at club level. He was very interesting with the ball.
Why did you choose Randal Kolo Muani rather than someone else to replace Marcus Thuram?
I have confidence in him. If I bring him in, it’s because I think he has the characteristics to cause problems for the opponent, with this Belgian hinge a little slow. He knows he has a positive environment. In his character which can seem casual, everything that is external has no hold on him. If he has to strike, he strikes. His foot does not tremble.
Is your defense ahead of the split times you set for yourself?
Oh the passing times… We are in the quarter-finals, we appreciate it. Defensive solidity is essential at this level. It is not just about defending well. There is also the use of the ball by starting from behind. They are gaining strength. They are confident. Jules Koundé was more offensive than Théo Hernandez, he is full of confidence. He feels good in his head and athletically. Have you seen the clubs where they play? It is Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern, AC Milan. I have very high-level players. I can count on the whole group.
Do you think with the number of own goals it is very difficult for attackers to score in this Euro?
As much as I agree with the goal against Austria, there… There was a shot anyway. We have to force destiny as they say. We’re going to work on it. It mustn’t become a psychological block.
Is Kylian Mbappé having trouble adapting to his mask?
He is getting used to it. What is important is the consolidation which is better every day. The sweating bothers him but he is getting used to it. I have not tried his mask but he has the impression of seeing the field in 3D. The lateral vision is less clear. He may wear it for a few months, so he needs to get used to it.
: “Koundé, who you have been harassing for months, is man of the match”, mocks Deschamps){kind=link}