Deschamps Instructed Teammates to Protect Mbappé from Fouls

France coach Didier Deschamps admitted to taking measures to protect star player Kylian Mbappé from what he perceived as overly aggressive play by Paraguay during a recent match. Deschamps stated he instructed his larger teammates to form a protective shield around Mbappé in the latter stages of the game, citing concerns that opponents were targeting the forward with potentially dangerous tackles.

Protecting a Key Player

Deschamps revealed his specific instructions after France secured a narrow 1-0 victory. “I asked the two biggest guys to stand around Kylian at the end because they were going to hack him down. And I don’t want to lose players,” Deschamps explained. He expressed frustration with Paraguay’s tactics, noting that many fouls went unpunished.

The French coach described the match as challenging, acknowledging Paraguay’s effective defensive strategy. “It was not easy. They use all the tricks in the book,” he said. “It is perhaps not the kind of football people come to the stadium for, but they defended well. Against South American teams, it is always difficult.”

Concerns Over Officiating

While Deschamps refrained from directly criticizing the referee, he pointed out the disparity in disciplinary actions. “We ended the game with three yellow cards, while much more happened,” he noted. He emphasized his team’s focus on their own game despite the provocations. “We stayed focused on our own game. That was difficult because they had many players behind the ball and defended well.”

Deschamps also commented on the unsportsmanlike conduct, stating, “Every team is allowed to play how they want, but the insults directed at us were not necessary.” He was relieved that no incidents occurred after the final whistle and that France had successfully advanced.

Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals

France is set to face Morocco in the quarter-finals. Deschamps acknowledged Morocco as one of the top teams in the tournament, referencing their previous encounter in Doha four years prior and their subsequent run to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The coach highlighted the need for his team to recover, with some players experiencing fatigue and minor injuries. He expressed hope for the return of Aurélien Tchouaméni for the next match.

Key facts

This development is relevant to FootballGames10 readers as it provides insight into the tactical considerations and player management strategies employed by a top national team coach during a major tournament. The protection of key assets like Mbappé is crucial for a team’s success, and Deschamps’ proactive approach highlights the pressures and challenges of high-stakes international football.

Source: Voetbal International – https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/deschamps-liet-paraguay-doelwit-mbappe-beschermen-door-ploeggenoten