Kylian Mbappe criticises team's performance in the World semis; says there is "immense disappointment"
The French captain didn't hesitate to also say that he too is at fault for France's loss
XtraTime Newsdesk: French national team captain Kylian Mbappe did not mince words as his team was knocked out of the World Cup with a 0-2 loss to Spain in the semi finals. The Las Rojas controlled the game and didn’t let France breathe for one second. Spain was technically superior to the Les Blues and the latter had no answers to it.
Mbappe did not hesitate to criticise the performances of his teammates. “I don't think we played the match we wanted to play -- whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level," Mbappe said. "And when you don't do what you are supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don't win."
"Our goal was to press them high up the pitch to prevent them from settling into that slow, controlled rhythm -- because when it comes to controlling the game, they are better than us. We failed to do that."
Mbappe said that they wanted to press high initially but Spain turned their press into a 3-on-2 situation in midfield. The Real Madrid forward also admitted that his performance wasn’t up to the mark.
“We kept finding ourselves outnumbered 3-on-2 in midfield," Mbappe said. "And against Spain, that's a real problem. When you put it all together, the result is a defeat. Our touches and movement were not worthy of a World Cup semi-final."
"It was a dream for us to reach the final, to give our country the chance to keep dreaming and to make history," he added. He has also said that he plans to go on a holiday before the season begins with Real Madrid.
"Now, it is something we have to face with our heads held high. I believe that when you win, you win with your head held high; so when you lose, you have to lose with your head held high, too."
"But right now, there is immense disappointment. I find it hard to put into words just how disappointed the squad and I are."
"Yet even if it might seem a bit robotic at times, we have to pick ourselves up, go on holiday, and move on to the next chapter. Because football waits for no one. We have to start over, put this failure behind us, and learn from it."
