With pain in his nose, still injured due to a dispute in the match against Austria, Mbappé was substituted at half-time during extra time against Portugal, in the quarter-finals of the European Championship. It was the striker’s fifth game in the competition, having scored only one goal so far. French coach Didier Deschamps defended the 25-year-old player. According to the coach, Mbappé has done everything he can to be in the best shape defending France.
“He still wants to make history. We did everything we could with him and the medical team to get him here. During the preparations, he also had a small problem, but Kylian is here, even if he is not 100%. I know very well that for his rivals, knowing that he is here also conditions them and they are forced to adapt,” said Deschamps.
𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑃𝐸𝐶𝑇 🤝 pic.twitter.com/h5R6TF9WfI
— Team France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 6, 2024
The coach also acknowledged the low offensive productivity of the French in the Euro Cup. In five matches, France scored two goals, two of which were own goals.
“It’s not a criticism, it’s a fact. We are less effective in attack than before, but that didn’t stop us from being there and doing well in the semi-finals once again,” Deschamps concluded.
France will face Spain in the semi-finals of the European Championship. The match will be this Tuesday, at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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