France captain Kylian Mbappe was not happy with the tactics, which were employed by head coach Didier Deschamps in the FIFA World Cup semifinal loss against Spain at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. La Roja registered a 2-0 triumph against Les Bleus to qualify for the summit clash.
Mbappe, who had been in red-hot form, failed to create any goal-scoring opportunities and there seemed a lack of chemistry among the French players on the big day.
The Real Madrid star said they were three versus two in the midfield and it was difficult for them break into Spain’s half.
“We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that’s hard,” Mbappé said after the game. “Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.”
The talismanic striker admitted they were not good enough, both tactically and technically against Spain.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted, technically, tactically,” Mbappé said. “When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don’t win. 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.
“Because they are better than us at controlling a game. We didn’t manage to do it. We were too sloppy technically. We could not hurt them when we could have.”
Mbappe said they lost possession of the ball as their first touches were not good against the European champions.
“Even when we recovered the ball, our first touches were not good enough. That gives a defeat. It is a huge disappointment. But if we are objective, we didn’t put all the ingredients to go to the final,” Mbappé said.
France’s forward Rayan Cherki admitted Spain was the better team on the day and deserved to win.
“I don’t know what to say. They were better than us in every part of the game, and they were hungrier than us I think,” Cherki said after the game. “It is sad because I still believe that we are a better team than them, but this afternoon Spain has been better than us. Even on an off day, we have to be a bit better technically, tactically, in desire.
“In so many ways, France was missing everything today. Truly, everything was missing today. We’ll be back in four years, and we won’t make the same mistakes.”
Spain will now face either England or Argentina in the final on Wednesday.
