“You had to expect to play more. How do you experience it?
It’s clear that I came with a lot of hope for this competition. It’s part of the vagaries of football, I haven’t played lately, I lacked rhythm, and I felt it during training. The coach felt it too. We had an exchange, we talked well, I knew what my place was before the first match and now I try to be ready every time.
There is this frustration but I am very happy to be in the French team. I know that a 100% Ibou would never have sat on the bench but we are a team, we have to be together and I have a very important role to play with the substitutes who may be frustrated not to play. We have to go to the end of this competition at all costs, we never know what will happen and the group is living very well, we are having fabulous times that we will not forget.
What memories do you have of your duels with Romelo Lukaku and how should you deal with him?
I was telling others a few days ago: he’s the strongest striker I’ve played against. I opted for this technique: not to make contact before he receives the ball. During the first two duels, I felt his strength, I told myself that it was going to be too complicated, because he plays a lot with the body. He has a lot of qualities but it’s not just Lukaku in Belgium, it’s a whole team and it’s complicated because they will come with this revenge of the 2018 World Cup.
“(about Saliba and Upamecano) It’s healthy competition, I don’t wish them any harm but when Ibou comes back to 100%, it’s going to be tough…”
Do you remember the semi-final won against Belgium (1-0) during the 2018 World Cup?
I was in Leipzig, at home, with my best friend and frankly I didn’t believe it because the Belgian team was impressive, especially Eden Hazard who was annoying. (laugh). I was very happy to see the Blues in the final, I said to myself “damn”, excuse me for the term, we can take this cup. When we won, I was so disappointed not to be in France because I saw videos of my friends celebrating, I would have loved to be with them. It was a fabulous time and I hope it will be the same on Monday.
How do you judge the work of Mike Maignan and the Saliba-Upamecano hinge?
Mike Maignan is an extraordinary goalkeeper, he showed it at the start of the competition by saving us several times. The hinge is performing very well, there is nothing to say because we only conceded one goal on a penalty, we could not be happier, we are in the continuity of the qualifying matches.
What do you think of Saliba in particular?
I think he did some very good performances. I respect him a lot like Dayot Upamecano. With the season he had at Arsenal, he deserves it. I told him to take what there is to take, it’s his time. It’s healthy competition, I don’t wish them any harm but when Ibou returns to 100%, it’s going to be hot…”
