“A tough match”.
The expression is from Didier Deschamps, all smiles at the end of the Franco-German shock at the end of which the coach confessed to having "feasted".
This Tuesday evening, for their entry into the competition in the Euro, his soldiers, usually not necessarily convincing when it comes to embarking on a final phase, this time very seriously started the competition.
"We were in the fight"
“I knew my players were going to be ready.
We were in the fight.
We could have got the ball out better in the first half.
And in second, we could have taken shelter, but overall, we were not too endangered.
We had a strong match with qualities and talent.
These three points will not be decisive, but it is important, “said the coach at the end of the match on M 6.
Read also France-Germany: the notes of the Blues
Not high rollers these Blues, but satisfied to have proved that the conquest of 2018 had not satisfied them. The indisputable man of the match, Paul Pogba, also handled the bar on the pitch as well as carried the word of a leader, once the victory had been achieved. “As you know, we all know, everyone was talking, especially before the Euro, favorite not favorite… The death group, not the death group… The attack… Frankly, we are focused on what we have to do on the field, we must also assume this status of world champions and come on the field with humility. When we have to suffer, we are all together too, and when we have to attack, we are all together. We showed it today, ”said the Mancunian midfielder.
A speech turned on collective, on the defensive resistance in the hollow of the second period and a word for the 2,500 French supporters present at the Allianz Arena… His colleague Adrien Rabiot, also solid in his role of relay, insisted on this "great state of mind", especially defensively.
Maybe also a way to shut down criticism of potential internal ego trifles.
"It's a good omen, we must continue like that, he added on BeIN Sports.
There will certainly be easier matches to play but it had to be done tonight, to enter the competition in the best way ”.
The next game on Saturday afternoon won't be as easy as expected on paper.
It will be against Hungary, who almost caught Portugal before cracking in the last ten minutes (0-3).
"A point would have been earned", says Joshua Kimmich
Germans and Lusitanians will meet again this weekend.
An already potentially decisive match for Joachim Löw, who refuses to panic.
“It was a terribly intensive game, we gave everything, until the end, but an own goal decided the result.
I cannot blame my players when it comes to fighting, we have won a lot of duels, ”said the Mannschaft boss.
“I would say we weren't the worst team. We dominated and we take a very unfortunate goal. On both sides there were relatively few scoring chances. A point would have been deserved, estimated his side Joshua Kimmich. The positive? It is that we are at the level of a
top team
, a tournament favorite. We have to show in the next game that we are favorites too. “Like what we can find good to face the world champion from the start, despite the final bite.