11.8 kilometers covered (match record), 45 successful passes out of 49 attempted (3rd behind the two French central defenders), three successful dribbles (5th French), 10 balls recovered (first French), one pass which should have been decisive if Marcus Thuram had not collided with the goalkeeper (68th minute) and an impressive return on Patrick Wimmer heading for goal in the final (84th): don’t throw any more away. Facing Austria this Monday (1-0) in Düsseldorf for the entry of the Blues, N’Golo Kanté has removed the last doubts about his ability to live up to this Euro, after two years away from the Blues , a final season at Chelsea in 2022-2023 almost blank due to injuries (9 matches played) and a year of exile in Saudi Arabia (44 matches) to regenerate.
“I took it for that. From the moment I was certain that he had regained all his athletic abilities, there was no debate. He has this intelligence on a tactical level, he is capable of recovering, of projecting himself. He was radiant and so much the better because we need that,” praised the French coach Didier Deschamps after the meeting. “There is nothing that has changed: he performs well in recovery, he never gets tired. With the ball, he brings us serenity, he is capable of breaking lines. Man of the match, it’s well deserved,” smiled defender Jules Koundé.
In front of the media, the Al Ittihad player, 33 years old and 56 caps, even seemed less reserved than usual with, as on the pitch, the feeling that he has rediscovered the freshness of his debut in Blue in 2016, added to a new maturity.
You were playing your first international final phase match since Euro 2021. Did you have any questions about your ability to get back up to speed?
I found this apprehension from the beginning of competition, with a lot of waiting. We’re all trying to get off to a good start together. It was nice to get those feelings back. I think we managed to get off to a good start and that’s nice. I have a good feeling, want to give my best for the team. I don’t want to project myself, this is only the beginning. We just have to watch now the next match against the Netherlands on Friday.
At the press conference, your teammates kept repeating that they had the feeling that with you on the pitch, they had the impression of being one or two more. Do you think you have regained the shape of your best years?
I am happy to find the French team again. I felt good, I regained my abilities. I manage to give my best. There’s a lot of praise but I’m not superhuman. We work together, we fight for the team. Today, it smiled on us and we must continue it for the rest of the competition. But the desire is there.
Did you think you could return to such a level after leaving for Saudi Arabia?
Yes, I wanted it. The Saudi Arabian championship is being built and expectations are very high. I wanted to have good results. Unfortunately, we have not performed well enough this season (5th in the standings, elimination in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, Editor’s note). But I always gave my best in training and during matches. I think I’m rewarded by being here. I just want to do the same, give my best for my country.
You were associated for the first time with Adrien Rabiot in the middle. How did you articulate yourself?
We started with three in the middle, even with me, Adrien and Antoine (Griezmann). We aimed to make it difficult for the Austrian team to progress in the game. It worked pretty well even if we have to continue working to improve the automatisms in the next matches. It was satisfying and it was enough for us to win today.
You wore the captain’s armband after Kylian Mbappé’s exit. What does this represent?
It’s the first time. I did not expect that. It’s after a game but it’s a pleasure, it’s an honor. It only lasted a few moments (five minutes, Editor’s note) but it still represents a lot. It’s a source of pride.
While Lloris, Varane, Pogba, Mandanda are no longer there, do you feel a different responsibility?
It comes naturally. I want to help in any way possible and if pulling the team up means being a relay for the coach or adapting on the pitch with teammates, I do it. There are personalities, characters that make the team live well. There are leaders.
