France is already preparing for the match on the 22nd against Iraq. In the press room they have appeared Akliouche and Bad Gusto. The full-back could have minutes in the second game while the first is more complicated.
Gusto gave a scare yesterday after a blow from Lucas but made it clear that he is fit to play against Iraq. There is a debate about who should play and whether he can unseat Koundé. “There is quality in all positions, I am ready to play but the coach decides and we have to accept it.”
The Ballon d’Or winner and PSG player has risen to the top with a change of role under Luis Enrique. With Deschamps, the plan was similar, but the appearance of Olise has forced the coach to distribute more of that false 9 role. In any case, Dembélé can play on the right before the appearance of Olise, but Gusto does not see a problem. “I don’t think it’s a big concern with the players in front of us. Ousmane changed in the second half but he alternates with Michael, everyone understands each other well and I think they are united on and off the field.”
“It’s a pleasure to have Cherki, we understand each other very well, he’s a very talented player,” he said of the City player. who returned to the bad first half against Senegal and what was discussed at half-time. “We all talk a little, there is acclimatization, the field, the heat, and Senegal is damaging and the coach has made some things clear to us.” What impressed him the most about the World Cup so far, he added: “Messi’s hat trick and our second half, I would say that.”
Maghnes Akliouche finds it difficult to play in his position precisely because of the appearance of Olise, but that does not prevent him from seeing reality although he does not give up: “I get along very well with him, on the field we have all seen what he is capable of doing at Bayern and with France and we are happy to have him with him”, and He also praises Dembélé: “He is a great person, he is the Ballon d’Or and he is going to do very well in this World Cup.”
Like his teammate, he does not believe that Dembélé will be overshadowed if he goes further to the right: “I think everyone has freedom, I trust what the coach decides and I think it is a matter of balance and it will go well. They also exchange a lot and understand each other very well.”