Zapping Our Mondial EXCLUDED: Randal Kolo Muani’s “Little Brother” interview!
Although called upon to start alongside Dayot Upamecano for this Euro, Ibrahima Konaté saw William Saliba pass him in front of the hierarchy. A short playing time that he mentioned today at a press conference: “It’s clear that I came with a lot of hopes, that’s part of the hazards of football. I knew my place before the first match. There is this frustration but I know my role on and off the pitch. A 100% “Ibou” would never have sat on the bench. I am lucky to have my self-assessment. I can bring a lot of positive things to the team. My role is not to show my frustration. I play PlayStation, I talk with everyone, I’m very happy to be there even if I want to play. There are 25 of us, we have to go to the end. Everyone is happy to be there. We must not forget that we are footballers. But on a daily basis, the group lives very well” he said in comments reported by RMC Sport.
All while evoking his relationship with Didier Deschamps: “I’m not someone who talks a lot with the coach, we talked a lot before. I told him about my dissatisfaction while being respectful. I totally understand that I’m ready. I’m for him, for all the people who accompany us. There are only 11 starters. I remain focused, determined. We had a little time with our families. The coach took us all the next day. I had the feeling that we were entering another dimension. There is no more time for calculations. We play football for that..”
Konaté had other hopes but…
He then spoke about the Arsenal defender’s rise to power: “He deserves to have this playing time. I spoke with him, I told him that this is his time. When Ibou returns to 100%, it will be hot (laughs)” he said before speaking about Belgium and in particular its two dangers Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku: “He’s the strongest striker I’ve played against. It’s going to be a very complicated match. Lukaku, the technique is not to go into contact with him, it went well. De Bruyne, you have to close his passes. But you can’t focus on the two of them. It’s very complicated. De Bruyne said we’re the favourites, we can’t fall into that trap. It’s 50-50. We can’t get into that thing.. There is no easy team. It’s a new tournament. I ask French supporters to continue to support us.“
To sum up
Ibrahima Konaté, the defender of the France team, was present at the press conference. Although called upon to start alongside Dayot Upamecano for this Euro, Ibrahima Konaté saw William Saliba pass him in front of the hierarchy. A short playing time that he mentioned today at a press conference.
