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Tag: France

  • Euro 2020: Pogba defends Rudiger over biting allegation

    Euro 2020: Pogba defends Rudiger over biting allegation

    Manchester United star Paul Pogba has claimed Antonio Rudiger “nibbled” him during France’s win against Germany but does not want the defender to be banned over the incident.

    The two players battled it out as France defeated Germany 1-0 in their opening group game of Euro 2020.

    An own goal from Mats Hummels settled the game.

    During the clash, video footage showed an incident where Rudiger appeared to try and bite Pogba in the back during a physical altercation.

    “With Tony, we are friends,” said Pogba post-game.

    “This was nothing big. I think you saw the TV pictures, this is all over, this belongs to the past, I’m not crying for yellow or red cards for such actions.

    “He nibbled, I think, a little bit on me, but we’ve known each other for a long time.

    “He hasn’t received any card, I think it’s better like this. I don’t want him to be suspended because of such a situation. At the end of the match we hugged each other and that’s it.”

  • Euro 2020: France defeat Germany with Hummels own goal

    Euro 2020: France defeat Germany with Hummels own goal

    World champions France started their Euro 2020 campaign with a win over Germany thanks to a Mats Hummels’ own goal in a high-quality heavyweight Group F match.

    Hummels – recalled for this tournament after being told by coach Joachim Low in 2019 that his international career was over – diverted Lucas Hernandez’s cross into his own net in the first half of a fascinating contest in Munich.

    Tournament favourites France were marginally the better of the two sides, but appeared to be in third gear for much of it.

    Paul Pogba sent the ball over the bar from a corner with his shoulder, Kylian Mbappe had an angled shot saved, he and Karim Benzema had goals ruled out for offside and Adrian Rabiot hit the outside of the post.

    Germany came into the finals with big questions over their best XI as well as their chances of success after an uncharacteristically turbulent few years, but proved typically competitive finals opponents.

    Thomas Muller – another player recalled after being jettisoned by Low – headed wide, with Ilkay Gundogan slicing an effort past the post from a good position in the box and Serge Gnabry seeing a shot deflected on to the roof of the net.

    It was not just the actual football that was of interest either.

    There was a hint that Germany defender Antonio Rudiger may have bitten the shoulder of Pogba in the first half, although replays proved inconclusive.

    This came after a Greenpeace protestor had parachuted into the stadium, shedding equipment as he crashed to the pitch before being hurried away by security.

    France’s win means they and Portugal, who beat Hungary 3-0 in Budapest earlier on Tuesday, take the early initiative in a highly competitive Group F.

    BBC

  • Euro 2020: France stronger than Germany only on paper – Rudiger

    Euro 2020: France stronger than Germany only on paper – Rudiger

    Antonio Rudiger says France are stronger than Germany only on paper ahead of their Group F Euro 2020 opening tie on Tuesday.

    Les Blues are among the favourites for this year’s European Championship.

    The reigning FIFA World Cup champions have added Karim Benzema to an already star-studded attack, which includes Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

    Many are tipping Didier Deschamps men to win the competition with their bolstered forward line.

    Their group at Euro 2020, though, includes the Germans and Portugal, who won the 2016 competition, beating France in the final, while Hungary make up the numbers.
    But Rudiger isn’t paying attention to the hype.

    “France look stronger on paper, but that’s just on paper,” Rudiger told a press conference.

    “They can be favourites for all I care, they obviously have great forwards. We need to dig deep and show what we’re made of. We’re ready.”

    Rudiger, and teammates Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, had a tremendous end to the season with glory in Portugal with Chelsea but he’s insisted all players are going to be import for Joachim Low’s side.

    He added: “Whether you’re from Bayern or Chelsea doesn’t matter, every player is important.

    “Obviously we had a good end to the season, which can help us here.”

  • I was affected by Giroud’s complaints – Mbappe

    I was affected by Giroud’s complaints – Mbappe

    Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe admits he was “affected” by Olivier Giroud’s complaints about his France team-mates not passing to him but insists he does not want to turn it into a big issue.

    Giroud said after his side beat Bulgaria in a friendly that he was not receiving the ball despite runs into dangerous areas in the box.

    The comments were interpreted as a dig at Mbappe and the 22-year-old says he would have preferred if Giroud had spoken to him privately instead of airing his grievances to the press.

    “I spoke with Olivier Giroud. Everyone knows what happened,” Mbappe said at a press conference.

    “It is true that I was a little affected by it. But we are not going to make a big deal about it because we are here to represent France, that is the most important thing.

    “What he said didn’t bother me more than that, I’m a striker and I’ve had this feeling 365 times in a game.

    “I congratulated him in the locker room, he didn’t say anything to me and then I heard from the press. He didn’t say anything bad. It’s more the fact of talking about it publicly, I would have preferred to let him come and be even more vocal in the locker room. But that’s not a problem, these are small trifles. The team does not need us to get in the way.”

  • Mbappe rejects apology from Giroud ahead of Euros

    Mbappe rejects apology from Giroud ahead of Euros

    Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is still furious with French teammate Olivier Giroud, despite the Chelsea man making an apology to Mbappe.

    Giroud spoke to the media after France’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria in a warmup game.

    He mentioned how he was not getting enough passes from his teammates, which Mbappe felt was a personal insult towards him.

    Per RMC Sport, Mbappe was ready to give a press conference to respond to Giroud’s claims.

    Giroud tried to speak with Mbappe to clear up the matter, but the PSG forward was still unhappy.

    After the Bulgaria game, Giroud told reporters: “Sometimes you make the runs and ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is.”

  • Google to change some ad practices after French watchdog imposes fine

    Google to change some ad practices after French watchdog imposes fine

    Alphabet’s Google has agreed to make changes to some of its widely-used online advertising services under a settlement with France’s antitrust watchdog that was released on Monday.

    The authority also fined the Mountain View, California-based company 267.48 million dollars after a probe found it has abused its market power in the intricate ad business online, where some its tools have become almost essential for large publishers.

    “The decision to sanction Google is of particular significance because it’s the first decision in the world focusing on the complex algorithmic auction processes on which the online ad business relies,” France’s antitrust Chief, Isabelle de Silva said.

    De Silva said the fine was reduced because of the settlement, but she did not give specifics.

  • Deschamps hits back at Mourinho over France comments

    Deschamps hits back at Mourinho over France comments

    Didier Deschamps has played down Jose Mourinho lauding France as favourites for Euro 2020.

    Les Bleus manager Deschamps is working hard to temper expectations of his star studded squad.

    Asked about Mourinho’s comments, Deschamps said: “José … I thought the same thing about his Tottenham team, it did not go as planned (laughs).

    “Automatically, with the status of world champions, we are favourites, with three more years of experience. I have a very important offensive potential. But it’s not just that.

    “You talk about balance but I don’t disconnect them from our midfield too. We will do everything to have the ball as much as possible but there will be times when we will not have the ball.

    “It is not a pressure, it is a reality, we will not run away from the debate: France is one of the favourites for this Euro.”

  • I’m the happiest man in the world – Benzema

    I’m the happiest man in the world – Benzema

    Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema admits he’s delighted to be part of the France squad.

    Benzema is excited to be back after a five year absence.

    He told Marca: “Sure, I feel like the happiest man in the world. For me, what makes me happiest is my family and football. And I am happy in Madrid, and nothing that I have returned with France to play the European Championship, I can only be proud, happy and looking forward to starting the tournament.

    “It is a very, very strong team throughout, from the goalkeeper to the midfield and the attacks… with players in the best clubs in the world. Then speaking of the favourite is more something that is spoken of outside of here. We know the strength that we have in this team, although you have to show it.

    “Many things have happened after and a lot of time has passed. We have won the World Cup, we have been in the final of the European Championship… I only want to enjoy and win the match. It’s clear that playing against Toni will be different because I am used to playing with him, he plays the ball to me a lot and now he will be my opponent.”

  • Let Mbappe join Real Madrid quickly – Benzema

    Let Mbappe join Real Madrid quickly – Benzema

    Karim Benzema has again talked up the prospect of PSG striker Kylian Mbappe joining him at Real Madrid.

    While reports suggesting that Mbappe is Los Blancos’ No.1 transfer target are nothing new, the relationship between Benzema and the Paris Saint-Germain striker has supporters in Spain dreaming of seeing them team up in the capital.

    “If he wants to leave PSG, then let him come to Madrid quickly,” Benzema said in an interview with AFP, describing the idea of Mbappe joining him as being “ideal”.

    “All of the great players want to come to Real Madrid. He’s agile, fast, efficient and knows how to do everything.”

  • Every France player happy with Benzema return – Sissoko

    Every France player happy with Benzema return – Sissoko

    Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko says Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema’s recall is a huge boost for France’s Euros chances.

    Benzema played in last night’s friendly win against Wales.

    Sissoko told Foot Mercato: “It is a real pleasure to find him. It is well deserved. For me, as for the other players I think, it’s a great pleasure to be able to play alongside him.

    “For the past five years, he has been one of the best strikers in the world. For me, they were two-three with him. What he achieves at Real Madrid is incredible. We saw a lot of strikers move to Real Madrid, but he always stayed, he always played and scored his goals. This, despite criticism.

    “I have immense respect for his career. It is a great joy to be able to count on him. It must be a great pride for Karim to be back in the France team because it was something that was close to his heart.

    “A player of this quality can only be a plus for the French team. We know the quality players we have. Karim will add even more to the team. So much the better for us.”