The time is not for extinguishing the fire, because the flames are still far from having affected the France team.
But since Tuesday and the exit of Olivier Giroud after France-Bulgaria, there was like a cloud in the blue sky.
A "snag" which denoted with the ambient optimism around the world champion team, as it approached its entry into contention against Germany on Tuesday.
According to our information, confirming those of L'Équipe, Kylian Mbappé would have tasted very little the comments made by Olivier Giroud, who suggested, Tuesday evening, that he would not have been sufficiently served by his partners after replacing Karim Benzema, injured at the end of the first half.
To a question from La Chaîne L'Équipe pointing out its discretion before its double, the second highest scorer in the history of the Blues (46 goals, 5 lengths from Thierry Henry), in the grip of a certain frustration linked to his weakness playing time in recent months with Chelsea, has rightly made his arguments.
“Discreet because sometimes we go shopping and the balls don't arrive, I want to say.
I do not always claim to make the right calls, but I did my best to provide solutions in the area, ”Giroud defended, taking care to quote the two players who gave him an assist for his 45th and 46th goals. in selection.
“I had two good balls from Ben (Pavard) and Wissam (Ben Yedder) and I was able to finish well.
"
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Seeing that "KMB" was not mentioned by the attacker, the debates multiplied, leaving doubt on a certain unease.
Within the France team, we really saw this as an epiphenomenon, anecdotal compared to the good news concerning the injuries of Benzema and Rabiot, who will be able to face Germany.
Pogba: "I don't feel any tension, nothing at all"
On Wednesday, Giroud and Mbappé took the time to discuss the subject.
The first readily concedes the twist, somewhat awkward, of his words, and regrets the interpretations they may have generated.
During the exchange with his caddy, he let it be known that his remark was not directed against him.
Nor against anyone else for that matter.
Enough to convince Mbappé?
Maybe not.
But at least things have been clarified to avoid unnecessary runaway.
Annoyed, even saddened to find himself at the heart of this false debate, Mbappé wanted to come and speak this Thursday at a press conference to dispel any misunderstanding.
The staff refused and encouraged him to stay focused on the upcoming game.
It is therefore as expected Paul Pogba who appeared before the media, and for the community there is no need to evoke any tension. "The only tensions are on the back, on the legs, the physiotherapists are there for that," ironically smiles the Manchester midfielder. Between Olivier and Kyky, there is nothing. I think what has been said may have been poorly conveyed. You know Kylian very well, his qualities, he can score and do a lot of assists. He is really altruistic, he plays for the team even if I always tell him that it would be good for him to defend a little more
(smile)
. There is nothing, nothing has come out, I don't feel any tensions, nothing at all. "
The atmosphere was indeed good-natured Wednesday night at Clairefontaine, during the dinner shared by the players where many smiles could be read on the faces of the Blues.
These few eddies have obviously left no trace.
The most attentive even noticed that Karim Benzema had "liked" a photo of Giroud on the Instagram account of the France team celebrating one of his two goals against Bulgaria.
Since their reunion on June 2 in Nice, the two attackers have been evolving in good harmony.
"Normal relations", slips an observer.
In short, the group is living well, according to an expression very dear to Didier Deschamps.