Ibrahima Konate believes bronze match against England ‘far from easy’ for France
Didier Deschamps’ final match as head coach will be a third-place play-off rather than a third successive global showpiece.
France defender Ibrahima Konate echoed England boss Thomas Tuchel’s thoughts that “no one wants” to play in the World Cup bronze medal match and admitted it will be far from easy.
Didier Deschamps’ final match as head coach will be a third-place play-off rather than a third successive global showpiece after European champions Spain beat Les Bleus 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final.
England are the opponents after their 2-1 semi-final collapse to reigning champions Argentina the following day, with boss Tuchel saying neither set of players “wants to play this match”.
France defender Konate shared those sentiments on the eve of the Miami encounter, saying: “Indeed, it was not the objective.
“How do we mobilise and motivate ourselves? Well, I believe that as French players for this team, many players would have loved to compete and play this game.
“I’m not saying it is easy. Far from it. I’ve read in the press that Tuchel said that no one wants to play this game. Well, it’s true that given the aim and objective we had.
“We wanted to play the final, but we are still representing France and it is the dream of many people to wear the shirt, the jersey, and sing the Marseillaise therefore we need to respect the jersey we’re wearing.”
Konate said that “no one of us” wanted to be playing the bronze medal match in Miami and expects a tough challenge against a “very good” England team.
The defender recently left Liverpool and joined Real Madrid, where he links up with France team-mate Kylian Mbappe fresh from a World Cup that could yet end with the star winning the Golden Boot.
The 27-year-old is level on eight goals with Lionel Messi, but the Argentina great leads the race heading into the final weekend having provided one more assist.
Deschamps confirmed Mbappe is “available” for the Hard Rock Stadium encounter and his plans to make changes against England.
“Whether they play or not, I have the duty as a head coach to do everything I can to reach tomorrow’s objective,” the 2018 World Cup winning coach said.
“I hope that we do, and we must display all the efforts to do so.
“It is one game. I have some keys in my possessions. Some players might play, others due to personal reasons will want to play.
“I do not want to betray any discussions I had with the players. I do not have all the elements but, yes, I will substitute some players.”
Deschamps faced some tough questions about the Spain loss in his final pre-match press conference of a reign that started in 2012 having previously captained France to World Cup glory in 1998.
“I know that it’s the last match and I don’t want anybody to cry, and I don’t think anybody here will cry,” he said.
“I had the privilege to go through amazing moments and to go also through some more difficult moments, so the end is coming near but life goes on.
“I don’t know what it’ll be made of but I’m usually a positive person, and I know that it will be great too.
“The French national team, with everything that it entails in my professional life, is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me.”