Dembele gem of a goal caps France win over Italy
NICE: Ousmane Dembele scored a terrific goal in an impressive display for France as the World Cup contenders defeated Italy 3-1 in a friendly here. Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti grabbed the opening goal after eight minutes at the Allianz Riviera on Friday, converting a rebound from close range after Kylian Mbappe’s volley was saved by Salvatore Sirigu. N’Golo Kante fired against the post from distance as Sirigu produced a fine fingertip save, but Antoine Griezmann added a second from the penalty spot following a foul on Lucas Hernandez by Rolando Mandragora.
Italy cut the deficit before the break when Leonardo Bonucci alertly followed up after Hugo Lloris failed to deal with a powerful Mario Balotelli free-kick. Balotelli forced Lloris to save low with his foot within seconds of the restart after half-time, while Dembele rattled the crossbar moments later having burst past a pair of Italy defenders. But the Barcelona forward sealed victory on 63 minutes, curling a sublime first-time shot into the top corner after Mbappe’s searing run was halted on the edge of the area.
“There are lots of things that pleased me beyond the three goals,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. It could have been a bigger scoreline. If we had been more efficient we could have been at ease a bit earlier. “We’re not going to get carried away, there’s still a second part of our preparation ahead of us.” Paul Pogba though was jeered by a section of home fans in the second half after a misplaced pass, and again when he was replaced by Steven N’Zonzi with five minutes remaining. Despite an underwhelming display from the Manchester United midfielder, Griezmann quickly sprang to his teammate’s defence. “The whistles are part of football, you have to stay tough mentally. We’re all playing for the same shirt. He plays his game, you’re used to him scoring. We don’t expect that from him, only that he rotates the ball and plays for the team,” Griezmann said.
“He has had a difficult season at Manchester United but he has a lot of confidence in himself.”
NEYMAR FITNESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
LIVERPOOL: Brazil will keep a close eye on the fitness of star striker Neymar when the World Cup contenders face Croatia in a friendly at Anfield tomorrow.
Neymar, who scored four goals in the 2014 World Cup, has not played any form of football since February after breaking his foot.
The 26-year-old Paris Saint Germain ace sat out training on Thursday as a precaution.
But his Brazil teammate Fernandinho has given a positive assessment of Neymar’s condition just two weeks before the start of the World Cup on June 14.
“By the movements and dribbles he has been doing in training, he has shown he is well,” said the Manchester City midfielder.
“He is confident which is important, he shows that he isn’t scared of our defenders as he takes them on without fear.”
› There are lots of things that pleased me beyond the three goals. If we had been more efficient we could have been at ease a bit earlier.
› DIDIER DESCHAMPS , France coach We are not going to get carried away, there’s still a second part of our (France) preparation ahead of us.
DESCHAMPS, On team preparations