REPORTAGE – Two days after Tunisia-France and two days before France-Poland, the Blues worked under the eyes of journalists at the Jassim-bin-Hamad stadium.
At the Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium
France-Poland, D-2. The Blues continue to work towards their round of 16 on Sunday at the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha. Work under the eyes of journalists this Friday, at the Al-Sadd stadium, with a session open to the press. Work that has not always been to Didier Deschamps’ taste.
After the traditional warm-up and passing work, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram worked on strikes and crosses. Giroud showed himself applied and above all efficient. “KM” turned on the pigeons a lot before returning a magnificent heel, a very complicated gesture. However, the coach expected more from his troops. “When it starts well, it usually ends better“, quipped the boss of the Blues. “Come on, let’s apply“, he insisted, further clarifying his displeasure. Note that the offensives were accompanied by Rabiot, with the trio Upamecano / Pavard / Saliba to feed them from the central circle. The others worked with the ball.
Not all others. If the 24 players were on the lawn of the Stade Jassim-bin-Hamad, Théo Hernandez quickly left his little comrades. “Théo Hernandez is spared, as a precaution. It was planned before the start of the session. He suffers from a small contusion on his left ankle but he will be training tomorrow (Saturday).“Quickly indicated the French Football Federation (FFF), just to leave no room for doubt. It must be said that the AC Milan player is the only professional left-back after the withdrawal of his brother, Lucas. Against Tunisia (0-1 defeat), it was Eduardo Camavinga who helped out. The Madrid native quickly followed Hernandez off the field. Ditto for Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane.
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Mandanda and Areola ducked
In fact, there were quickly only about fifteen elements left for a session that we will qualify as light, with still some juggling for the hairdressers in the central circle while Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda were shot by the offensive players tricolors for the other purpose, just to vary the pleasures.
For the rest, as is customary, two players appeared before the media. Small event since after the Gunner William Saliba, Antoine Griezmann spoke. We had not seen the Atlético Madrid striker in a press conference with the Blues since… the Euro, a year and a half ago. And Grizou in front of the microphones, it’s always tasty… Before lunch, the players of the France team were entitled to a moment of relaxation, those who took the break with the jersey of their first amateur club. “A warm wink and a nice moment as a tribute to those who accompanied their first steps on the football pitch“, we specify. In short, all is well with the world champions. Ousmane Dembélé did not even come across the… cat who was wandering around the stadium lawn before the session. The tomcat didn’t even come back to annoy the Barcelonan during the session, just over an hour.
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