"He wants to make even more history" - France boss Didier Deschamps defends Kylian Mbappe amid Euro 2024 criticism
France coach Didier Deschamps has leapt to the defence of his captain Kylian Mbappe on the back of his struggles at Euro 2024. The Real Madrid forward has failed to light up the tournament as expected, with just one goal from the penalty spot to his name.
Les Bleus are among the favorites to claim a first European Championship title since 2000, particularly with the calibre of players on their roster. One of the best in the world, former Paris Saint-Germain man was in the squad on the back of another brilliant season in French football.
However, the Euros haven't gone entirely to plan for Kylian Mbappe and France, who are in the semifinals without performing entirely convincingly in Germany. The 25-year-old forward fractured his nose in the first game against Austria and has been playing well below his usual standards since.
Mbappe was hauled off in the second half of extra time in his side's quarterfinal against Portugal after failing to impact the game greatly. Clearly hampered by the mask on his face, the forward found himself neither here nor there on several occasions against the Portuguese.
Didier Deschamps revealed at the time that he took his captain off due to fatigue, and he has now defended the forward once more. In an interview with Telefoot, he revealed that Mbappe was struggling physically before the tournament, but wishes to attain glory with the team.
He said via 90min:
"Don't you think he has already made enough history with what he has done so far? He wants to make even more history. We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him to be here. During the preparation, he had a little back problem, too, but Kylian is here.
"Even if he's not 100%, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing he's playing makes them think and forces them to adapt."
Kylian Mbappe remains the only French player to find the net at this year's Euros, with the other two goals scored by the team having been own goals. The forward was a picture of nerves as he watched the penalty shootout from the bench as his teammates triumphed against Portugal.
France star defends Kylian Mbappe, Griezmann amid Euro 2024 struggles
French midfielder Youssouf Fofana has defended his teammates Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann after the side's struggles in front of goal. Les Bleus have scored just thrice, once from the penalty spot and two own goals, in five games at the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe and Griezmann carry the majority of the side's attacking burden but have failed to perform at their best, and Fofana decided to back them. The AS Monaco man spoke at a press conference that the level of both players has been enough for them so far at the tournament. He pointed out that they have reached the semifinals, saying via GFFN:
“Personally, I don’t care. We’re semi-finalists. The level of Antoine and Kylian, we have to realise that’s been enough to reach the semi-finals. I don’t see why we would nitpick because, in the end, that’s enough.”
France will face their sternest test of the competition thus far when they face Spain, the side that has been the most impressive at Euro 2024. With a place in the final of the tournament at stake, the encounter promises to be a spectacle.