“It was a good experience on a personal level, but it was also more than thathe explains. We traveled to Morocco for a good cause, especially to raise awareness of water among the new Moroccan generation. It was a great operation, there was a real mix, a real discussion with the young people.”
The former world and European champion (in 1998 and 2000) with the French team has a keen eye for football. Especially when we talk about the Blues and Belgium. In 2018 as in 2021, the former Arsenal legend had pointed out our Devils as favorites for the World Cup and the Euro, even warning his compatriots that they should be wary of Belgium.
We are three years later, do you think that Belgium is still a scary team?
“I find that Belgium remains a high-level selection, but it’s true that I have difficulty understanding what is happening. Belgium always had great players in my time, and still today. J I saw the scoresheet against Italy Normally, it’s a team that must, at some point, win something. France should fear Belgium, but I don’t know what you have against us. . Each time, it goes rather well for France. We have the impression that as soon as you play against us, you feel inferior.
gullAt the Euro, De Bruyne was tired and shy.
In this, the match against Belgium – France at the Euro is the best example with a very defensive Belgium…
“I found the approach timid, without taking risks. God knows I like this player, but Kevin De Bruyne seemed tired, blunt, timid. This approach makes it clear that Belgium is saying ‘we are going to lose again against France’. That’s what’s a shame.”
Is it a trauma that Belgium has been dragging since the 2018 semi-final?
“You still have this defeat in your head. Plus, you’re unlucky, right after that we’re world champions, so it’s a lot to take in. You have to get past the trauma. For that , we will have to fight.”
What is your opinion on the current Belgian team?
“The four players who played up front against Italy aren’t bad, right? Doku, Trossard, De Ketelaere and Openda are strong.”
Except when we play Doku on the right side?
“I’m not a coach, but clearly, it’s a surprising choice. Doku is a dribbler capable of scoring nice goals, like last weekend with City. Switching him sideways… We can ask ourselves the question of this choice. To return to the team, I like it a lot, because there are interesting players. Take Trossard, everyone knows him for his performances with Arsenal. It would be enough to beat a great European nation to show everyone that Belgium can beat quality teams.”
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Doesn’t it feel weird to see a Belgium without any world stars like De Bruyne or Lukaku?
“We were used to having Hazard, Courtois, Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne. We call them Champions League players. But their absence is not serious. France has the same concern. It focuses on the fact that Kylian Mbappé is absent. As if we had no solutions without him. We are losing one of the best players in the world, but we are called France, so we have options. a continued selection, even if De Bruyne is not there. A nation cannot depend on one or two players, but on a collective project.
gullCrying that we no longer have our good players is useless.
Like France in 2018…
“Exactly. And even before. I had the privilege of playing with players like Djorkaeff and Zidane. But we knew that one day they were going to stop and that we had to prepare for the future. And that’s what the selection The proof is that in 2018, we are world champions again, saying that we no longer have our good players is useless.
The absences of Mbappé and Lukaku, who decided to stay at their club, is this something that poses a problem to you?
“I’m not shocked. From the moment the player has a discussion with the coach, it’s settled. The sequence of matches is impressive. There’s the Champions League coming up and the championship which is also important for great players.”
In your time at Arsenal, you had to play on four fronts and in the French team. Would you have refused a selection if you were currently a player?
“Personally, I wouldn’t have done it. 100% sure. The priority is always the club. It pays us, we must not forget that. But the French team was just as priority. Afterwards, be careful, I don’t criticize, everyone makes their own choices.”
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The Nations League doesn’t excite many people, that also plays a role…
“It’s a format that is complicated to manage for many selections. It adds matches and travel. Add to that the Champions League with more matches. The players, I put myself in their place, say to themselves that staying at home to heal and rest to perform better afterwards may be a good option And ultimately, football may be a winner if these guys are fresh at the next World Cup. The level of Euro 2024 is not. was not good. And it’s linked to a lack of freshness.”
What kind of French team can we expect on Monday evening?
“I liked what I saw against Israel: serious, disciplined and collective. We have to respect the players who are on the pitch and who are doing everything so that we stop talking about the absences of Mbappé and Griezmann. match against Belgium will be a real test to know if our team is strong.”
Didier Deschamps is considered an excellent coach for this…
“He has always managed to find solutions, that’s his strength. He has this quality of being unifying with his group.”
Belgium was talked about for the armband affair which made Thibaut. France also experienced a funny situation, not knowing whether Tchouameni or Koundé was going to be captain in Mbappé’s absence. What inspires you?
“First of all, I would not have given it to Mbappé but to Griezmann. For the simple reason that he was much more legitimate to wear the armband, given his past and his professionalism. What happened here is logical : everyone wants to be captain of their country. You just have to know how to leave your ego at home when you play for your team. The goal is to win trophies above all.
gullWe can win 1-2, sorry for my Belgian friends.
What is your prediction for the match?
“I know it’s going to be hard. Very hard. We are capable of winning 1-2 at your place. Sorry for my Belgian friends.”
The difference between Tedesco’s benchmark match against Germany and the near-slap against Italy is worrying: a metamorphosis in 19 months
