From our special correspondent in Paderborn,
This time, it’s gone. If French political news risks putting Euro 2024, which began on Friday with the German defeat against Scotland (5-1), in the background, there remain fundamentals in life which we cannot ignore. pass. Among them, the Bleus journal, a sort of travel diary for the French team on the road, which we deliver to you every morning to accompany breakfast.
Pavard, hairdresser (and photographer) of the Blues
Usually reserved and sparing of words during press conferences, Benjamin Pavard appeared rather relaxed on Friday in front of the media, from the Home Deluxe Arena in Paderborn. While the Inter defender is called upon to play supporting roles during this European Championship, he seems to take it philosophically. Even if it means playing a one-man show when we ask him about his positioning in the French team on the right side of the defense, he, the central defender assigned to the club.
“Ah ok, It’s off to a strong start for a first question! Currently, I’m mostly on the left side of the bench, he laughed. These are the coach’s choices, I adapt to what he asks of me. We’ll see, in any case I’m ready mentally and physically. » A relaxation materialized a few minutes later, camera in hand, to shoot his friend Olivier Giroud and put the French team photographer out of work. The reconversion of the former Lille is all mapped out.
Giroud not there to make up the numbers
At 37, the age to be “the father of Warren Zaire-Emery” as Mbappé kindly reminded us in an interview with Ouest-France, Olivier Giroud does not intend to leave his part to the dogs this summer, even if he too, like Pavard, will play supporting roles on the attacking front. “In what sense do you perceive me to be less combative? », he said to one of our colleagues from The Team who had the misfortune to tell him that he found him more relaxed than usual at a press conference.
“Obviously I prefer to be on the pitch, I prefer to start matches, I respect the coach’s choice but when I get on the pitch, I will do my best. You don’t come to polish the bench. Obviously I prefer to be a starter, but that doesn’t change my competitive mindset if the coach doesn’t start me. But if I can turn the tide during the competition, I will. Believe me, I’m far from having left in a more cool, relaxed state of mind, in a secondary role. I am the same, determined. » The message to DD got through.
Saliba starting against Austria?
Left to be Dayot Upamecano’s understudy in central defense, William Saliba should finally get his chance next Monday against Austria, for the Blues’ entry into the competition, alongside Ibrahima Konaté. Author of a season of God’s fire with Arsenal, the former Stéphanois benefits both from his leadership role with the Gunners and from the poor form of the Munich player, relegated to the bench by Thomas Tuchel in Munich this year. This is the perfect opportunity for him to make his mark and never move from the starting XI, Deschamps being the type to maintain his trust in those who have given him back on the pitch.
Today’s program
After today’s press conference at 11:30 a.m. with Théo Hernandez and Marcus Thuram, the Blues will train in the afternoon in their home in Paderborn, where 4,000 lucky kids had the pleasure of seeing them at work on Thursday last.