(Bordeaux) There will perhaps be more tension in nine days, when France faces Austria to start a Euro that it hopes to win. But for the moment, on the eve of this France-Canada friendly in Bordeaux, the air seems light in those around the Blues.
Antoine Griezmann’s press conference starts in advance. Almost unheard of in professional sport, as far as we are concerned. The ace gunner of the Blues gently answers the numerous questions asked to him by the equally numerous French journalists in the conference room of the Matmut Atlantique stadium. He smiles here, jokes there, and even displays a look of surprise when La Presse reminds him that Canada has not faced France since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he replies, humbly, when asked about the challenge that the maple leaf offers for Sunday’s meeting. We saw it at the World Cup. They have players who come more and more to Europe. This means that football is growing there, they have renowned players. It’s going to be a good test at the right time for us. To see if in the dough, in the speed of play, we are ready for the Euro. »
This is probably the only issue for the Blues in view of this match. Already winner of Luxembourg (3-0) last Tuesday, the time has come for final adjustments before June 17.
“It’s the second and final rehearsal,” adds coach Didier Deschamps, who appears before the media a fraction of a second after Griezmann’s exit. He talks about “distributing the playing time” of his flock against Canada, “without taking any risks on some”, because the objective, he says, “is the match against Austria”.
But he is not saying this to disrespect Canada. On the contrary, he perhaps even gives him more than he needs.
“It’s a different adversary that has a lot more answers [than Luxembourg], particularly in the athletic field,” says Deschamps.
“Obviously, there are certain players who have passed and who are still in France,” adds the coach, world champion in 2018 and finalist in 2022, referring in particular to Jonathan David, Lille striker.
“That’s more of what this team is giving off. And I think they are preparing for the Copa Libertadores? »
The Copa America, correct-t-on.
“Yes sorry, there are so many competitions now. »
And, later, between two answers: “Ah, it’s squeaking here…” he remarks, feeling the podium table on which he leans.
Light atmosphere, as we said.
Small burst of tension for training, all the same, about thirty minutes later. All the Blues players are on the pitch, except Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni… and Kylian Mbappé.
Before the end of the 15 minutes open to the media, the spokesperson for the French team tells journalists that Mbappé is “spared”. He did not participate in the session.
We checked with the newspaper L’Équipe afterwards, which pointed out that Real Madrid’s new talisman suffered a knock in Metz against Luxembourg. He had also missed training last Sunday, but had still played the entire match on Wednesday.
Since Deschamps is banking on consistency before the Euro, we do not expect Mbappé to be left out of the squad, but he could be rested for part of the match.
“I hope he has a nice tribute tomorrow,” said Griezmann, who describes his friend “Olive” as “an old-fashioned number 9”. He is a person and a man who deserves it. Beyond the player he was, that he is. For me, he is the ideal player for a group, for a coach. He did everything. I have a lot of respect for him, for what he has done, and what he does on the pitch. And outside. »
Deschamps smilingly rejects the idea of a “tribute”.
“I have a collective, a common goal,” he says. […] Afterwards, we’ll say the last training, the last night, and each time we do what, a festival? We’re not here for that. But OK. I don’t think he particularly thinks about it either. »