Ibrahima Konaté answered questions from the press this Saturday, two days before the match against Belgium.
His playing time: “It’s clear that I came with a lot of expectations, that’s part of the vagaries of football. I knew what my place was before the first match. There is this frustration, but I know my role on and outside the game. “A 100% Ibou would never have sat on the bench. There are 25 of us, we have to go to the end.”
The group : “Everyone is happy to be there. We must not forget that we are footballers. But on a daily basis, the group lives very well.
I don’t send a message. When I see the training, the meals… I don’t see a problem. We have to be together, determined. We are just competitors.”
Lukaku : “He is the strongest striker I have played against. It will be a very complicated match.
Lukaku, the technique is not to make contact with him, it went well. De Bruyne must close his passes. But we shouldn’t focus on the two of them.”
Defense : “Maignan is an extraordinary goalkeeper. The hinge is going very well. There’s nothing to say, we conceded a goal and from a penalty.
The best defense is attack. This luck factor is missing. The defender must be focused.”
His memory of 2018: “I was in Leipzig with my friend, I couldn’t believe it. Eden Hazard was annoying (laughs). When we won, I was disappointed not to be in France to celebrate.”
Cross : “He deserves to have this playing time. I spoke with him, I told him that this is his moment. When Ibou comes back to 100%, it’s going to be tough (laughs).”
A favorite on Monday?: “It’s very complicated. De Bruyne said we are favorites, we must not fall into that trap. It’s 50-50. We must not get into that thing.”
Penalty shootouts: “We think about it. We have worked. It remains vast. There is always the luck factor.”
His role as replacement: “I’m lucky to have my self-assessment. I can bring a lot of positive to the team. My role is not to show my frustration. I play PlayStation, I talk to everyone, I’m very happy to be here even if I want to play.”
The form of the Belgians: “No, there are no easy teams. It’s a new tournament. I ask the French fans to continue to support us.”
Dual nationality: “Of course it worries me, we can’t leave power to certain people who are intent on dividing. The media has a very important role, sometimes they ride on fear. When I see the work of my parents, we cannot focus on minorities Today, we talk a lot about immigration or Islam, about the ban on the veil in public spaces. It saddens me to hear these things. there. We need to meet people. We need different pieces to build something. I encourage everyone to go and vote together.
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. He totally understands that I’m ready. I’m ready for him, for all the people who are with us. There are only 11 starters. I remain focused, determined.”
His physical form: “I didn’t play for a month and a half! I prepared myself, I almost fainted more than once. The preparation was very short. That’s part of football. It was a good lesson for me.”
