Former France star Emmanuel Petit has slammed the performance of his nation in their defeat to Spain.
The World Cup favourites crashed out of the tournament at the semi-final stage with a 2-0 defeat to the European champions, and Petit handed out some brutal ratings.
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Les Bleus arrived in the semi-final having not trailed in a single match.
They had beaten everyone and scored at least three in the majority of their matches.
Despite Spain being champions of Europe, France were the clear favourites.
But once Lucas Digne kicked Lamine Yamal in the box as he tried to clear the ball, it was a long way back for France.
Mikel Oyarzabal slammed home the penalty, and in the second half, Pedro Porro finished a sublime move to double the lead.
In response, France managed just three shots on target with two in stoppage time.
Shebahn Aherne asked 1998 World Cup winner Petit to give his player ratings on eSPORTY Breakfast.
He was specifically asked about Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
“Not much, probably 2/10 because we had no links or combination.
“We had nothing on the pitch.
“It was like how Morocco played against France, where they left the pitch thinking they had done nothing.”
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Specifically on Mbappe, he said: “In the second half, I thought he gave up.
“You could see his frustration and the faces of so many players, and I think they gave up.”
End of a dream
France had looked nigh on unstoppable up until the semi-final.
Spain was seen as the test that they would rise above and make it to the final.
But Petit couldn’t believe how poor they were.
“You could have changed the entire team at half time, and it would have changed nothing.
“We looked nervous and so far away from our level tactically and technically.
“We had no inspiration, creativity or personality, and it was so sad to watch them.
“I don’t actually understand what happened yesterday, but it was a football lesson, to be honest.”
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End of an era
Defeat for France in the World Cup semi-final means that Didier Deschamps’ time as national team manager is over.
He had announced before the World Cup this would be his final tournament.
And after 186 games in 14 years, it is over for the former Marseille boss.
Speaking after the game, he said: “There is obviously a lot of disappointment. The players are devastated because we had high ambitions.
“Although we have to be realistic and acknowledge that today we were a step below technically against a team that knew what they were doing. Itโs primarily our fault.
“We were a bit below par and less dangerous offensively than we could have been. We made a few technical errors and missed passes that could have led to situations and chances.
“We have to accept it, this is the highest level, even if it hurts. It was the last step before this potential finalโฆ so weโll play the third-place match. Weโll play it, it doesnโt take anything away from what weโve achieved. But in this match, Spain showed something extra.”
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Meanwhile, Mbappe criticised the tactics and his teammates.
Speaking after the game, the captain said: ย โWe were three against two in midfield, and againstย Spain, thatโs hard. Fabian [Ruiz] andย Rodriย had plenty of time to play.
โThere was a lack of communication on the press.
โI think we should have done man-to-man press and forced them to run with us.
โWe didnโt play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you donโt do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you donโt win.
โSpain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo.
โOur plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm.โ
๐๐๐๐/๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
