If the Blues came out of their box like imps in the second half of the Nations League final on Sunday in Milan, and topped Spain (2-1), they owe it a lot to a man, who sounded the revolt. In the privacy of the locker room, Paul Pogba, the Manchester United midfielder has indeed raised the tone of the top of his 28 years and 93 caps. “You have to be aggressive, it starts in front of everyone, in front and after behind,” he said, sitting in his seat, shirtless, talking with his arms. Yes we are going to run, they are quality players, but we also have quality. When you have the ball, you have to keep it. We keep it and we will hurt them. We go aggressive in the second half, we do a real pressing. Aggressive. "
In the first period, the France team had been completely harmless, deprived of balls by La Roja, and delivering only one shot, off target, in 45 minutes, a first since the draw (0-0) against Switzerland during the 2006 World Cup. Faced with the difficulties of its players, coach Didier Deschamps nevertheless gave a reassuring speech at the break. “Calm, calm. We can hurt them, we will hurt them, but not like that, he reacted. We make the efforts, we square. It was a fight, it's hard, but we don't give up. There will be efforts to make, we must hurt them more. "
Paul Pogba, he took over, in a different tone and with other words, leaving Hugo Lloris to a role of captain spectator.
And he continued to express his revolt on the ground.
Pressed by Rodri in his area, without a solution to relaunch, Pogba sharply attacked Benjamin Pavard, reproaching him for his passivity.
We know the rest.
A first goal conceded by the Blues then their reaction in the wake, two goals from Benzema and Mbappé, and a new title in the end.
A reversal, like the semi-final won against Belgium (3-2) when they were led by two goals.
“Paul has grown in importance compared to his debut, recognized Didier Deschamps at the start of last week.
He is an expressive leader who sits between generations.
He has this collective thinking.
That of a boss.
