KYLIAN MBAPPE has questioned Didier Deschamps’ tactics after France were KO’d by Spain.
The Les Bleus forward reckons he would have done things differently after a semi-final in which the much-fancied World Cup favourites were played off the park.
Kylian Mbappe was kept quiet by Spain on Tuesday Credit: Getty
Didier Deschamps will not cap off his France tenure with a second World Cup win Credit: Getty
A 2-0 defeat in Dallas signalled a disappointing end for Deschamps – the boss of 14 years – who is stepping down after the third place play-off.
But Mbappe did not go easy on him after the final whistle.
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He ranted: “We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that’s hard. Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri had plenty of time to play.
“There was a lack of communication on the press.
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“I think we should have done man-to-man press and forced them to run with us.”
Mbappe has had an exceptional tournament and is level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
But he was kept quiet by Spain and stormed off the pitch without shaking anyone’s hand at full-time.
Mbappe continued: “We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don’t win.
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Deschamps and Mbappe shared a brief embrace after the game Credit: Reuters
Pedro Porro scored Spain’s second goal in Dallas Credit: Getty
“Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo.
“Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm.”
France will play the loser of England‘s clash with Argentina in Saturday’s bronze medal match.
Deschamps will then make way, as per the plan announced well over a year ago, with Zinedine Zidane set to take his place.
