I didn’t like the first 30 minutes. I expected this aggressiveness from the Belgians. But when we got the ball back, we lost it, we had trouble keeping it in front. We got shaken up. In the last quarter of an hour of the first period, we were able to get out of the pressing zones better and play forward, which we hadn’t done until then. In the second half, we controlled better. The Belgians had undoubtedly also left some energy, but we covered the ground better. We had a lot of opportunities even if the match could have gone one way or the other. The Belgians’ missed penalty allowed us to lead, but we could have avoided their equalizer. Everything is not perfect, but victory is there. The credit goes to the players. At 10 against 11, they showed solidarity. It’s good for this less experienced group to go through matches like this.
How to explain the difference between Randal Kolo Muani in the selection and that with Paris SG?
He performed well. The first match (4-1 against Israel) did him good. He provided solutions in depth, he was clever with his back to goal, which is not his first quality. He is very good at heading. It’s very good for him and the group. He has confidence with us and it shows in the game. I hope it goes well at his club too. We must not forget where he is leaving from, the price of his transfer can also have an impact. He certainly didn’t do everything right either. He is also more confident with us because he has playing time.
Can this success be a foundation for this rejuvenated group?
Maybe. In a construction, there are stages. It is better to win, even while suffering. This is a younger group, which faced greater adversity. It’s good to go through knife matches too. This will help us to correct. The high level is very demanding, there are mistakes that we must not make. But we win, it’s an important victory in the group and in relation to a possible qualification for the quarter-finals. We will have to secure it against Israel (November 14) and, then, we will go to Italy (in Milan, November 17, Editor’s note) with certainly the possibility of playing for first place.
At the Euro, you were solid defensively. How do you explain the excitement sometimes felt this week?
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