Special correspondent in Dortmund
His analysis after the defeat: “Everyone will have their own analysis. It’s not a defeat (2-1) to forget and if we lost, it’s because we didn’t do things well. We had a catastrophic start to the match in terms of aggression and intention, even if we recovered well afterwards. This allowed the Germans to open the scoring. Some players need playing time to be seen, that will also require repetition. If everything went well every time, it would be better but that was not the case tonight (Tuesday). »
The Blues orphans of Giroud and Mbappé: “It’s the score that leads to somewhat hasty conclusions. There are other players too who have shown great things. When these two aren’t there, you never know what can happen. Kolo (Kolo Muani) is also returning to competition, it has been more than 15 days without a match, he is not in top form. The same match, with Kylian (Mbappé) and Olivier (Giroud), we don’t know what that would have been like. Even if we want to win all the matches, a large part of the players need to have playing time in relation to the deadlines which are ours (Euro 2024). And this evening we did not achieve our objective. »
The choice to place Mbappé on the bench: “From the moment he cannot start, with a problem with the patellar tendon, not serious but which bothers him, with risks too, it is not bringing him in (in match course) which will improve his situation. It’s the same for Upa (Dayot Upamecano, who also remained on the bench), who felt discomfort in his adductors, I have no risk to take in such a (friendly) match. »
The difficulties of Todibo and Saliba: “It’s never easy, a first selection (for Todibo) with a Germany team which has many offensive dangers. JC stood on the right and William on the left, obviously it’s not ideal, but they have to go through that too. They are two good players in the duel, after all there is less time at this level, we have to go quickly. In the analysis, I take context into account. » His reunion with Völler: “He’s a friend, we like each other on a human level, I’m not going to say that I’m happy to have lost, that will never happen to me. But I’m happy for him. Does he want to remain a coach? I don’t have the answers. Afterwards, if he no longer has to be, he will be undefeated. I congratulated him on this victory and you will know more than me about what happens. »
Comments collected at a press conference