"If the French game is boring, watch something else!"
Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team, responded coolly to criticism that the French game was boring.
France succeeded in advancing to the semifinals of Euro 2024, but has not shown a good performance with Kylian Mbappe suffering a broken nose. After two goals and one loss in three group matches, winning 1-0 against Belgium in the round of 16, he made it to the semifinals through a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw against Portugal in the quarterfinals. Of the total three goals, the open-play field goal did not score a single goal, and criticism poured out as it advanced to the semifinals with the so-called 'reverse victory'. The only three goals France scored in this tournament were two own goals from the opponent and a penalty shot by captain Mbappe when they drew 1-1 against Poland in the group stage.
Chris Sutton, a BBC columnist, also criticized him bluntly, saying, `If France plays in our backyard, we'll close the curtains.'
At a press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 semifinal against Spain on the 9th (4 a.m. on the 10th), Deschamps was asked by a reporter about "Boring Football" and then watched another game. It's okay if you don't watch our game."
"It may not be the same as it was in the past, but we have the ability to make a lot of Françon men's and women's football fans happy and spark emotions after difficult times."
In response to criticism that France is boring, Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente dismissed the result as all at this stage. "We try to come up with a game plan that can beat everyone."Spain is an eye-catching team, and we cannot deny that this is our DNA, but at this stage, what matters is victory. We're going to play happily, but we want to be realistic." "Our way to get results is to try to make eye-catching plays. What matters at this stage is the outcome. In the end, it is our job to judge and be evaluated.'
The reason for the French goal crisis is the sluggishness of the ace and the disappointing performance of key players Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
France captain Mbappe has been playing in a mask since his 1-0 win over Austria due to a broken nose. Mbappe, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid this summer, has not been able to show the power of solving eight of France's 16 goals when he was runner-up at the Qatar World Cup two years ago.
Deschamps said, `I'm sure Kylian is in normal form just like the rest of the players"There was a back problem and it could have ended with a blow to his nose, but he's still here" he praised the injury fighting spirit. "Injuries have changed my horizons and I'm shocked, but I'm sure he'll do everything he can against Spain," he said, expressing unwavering faith.
Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann has also yet to score a goal, but his colleagues' trust in him is strong. Adrian Rabiot said all the players believed him. "We know Antoine's ability. In the last World Cup, when he enjoyed his prime as a player, everyone was surprised to see him take it out of his bag." "I don't know why, but we have high expectations for Antoine. I expect a lot because I'm a capable player." "If anyone is going through a difficult time, we are here to support them, and what is clear is the fact that Mbappe and Griezmann are playing here in the Euros, which is obviously better."
