After the nightmare evening against Italy (1-3) on Friday, the defender of the French team calls for a collective awakening.
The message is clear. No need for a big speech, a sentence is enough to get an idea across. Starting on Friday night during the defeat against Italy, Ibrahima Konaté, who did not play a single minute at the Euro, made comments that say everything about the French shortcomings. Questioned by TF1, the official broadcaster of the Blues, on Mike Maignan’s offensive speech in the locker room after the defeat, the Liverpool defender did not hide.
“If I can summarize what was said, it is that we have individuals who are extraordinary, but we must put these individuals at the service of the collective.”he says without mentioning any teammates. Logically, all eyes turn to Kylian Mbappé, the haggard and lifeless captain at the Parc des Princes after a European Championship that was a complete failure.
Victory against Belgium is mandatory
Against Italy, anything but a huge opponent, the French team was a pitiful sight apart from 15-20 appreciable minutes at the start of the match. Its solidity, its demands and its collective spirit were shattered, without the Italians showing much. And no leader held his own, whether it was Mbappé, Griezmann or even Kanté. The surge of pride and revolt did not exist.We weren’t in it in the intensityadmits vice-captain Grierzmann. We played our game more individually but we didn’t think collectively..»
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« With the team we have, we should scare everyone and today, to be beaten 3-1 at home, it’s disappointing.adds Konaté. It’s sad. Now it’s over, we have to show a reaction..” She is expected on Monday evening against Belgium. A second home defeat, which would extend the series to three consecutive defeats (after the Euro semi-final against Spain), would plunge the French team into a results crisis. And would confirm the failed return.
