French wary of tough Croatia

POGBA: FINAL WIN NOT A DONE DEAL

France are determined not to make the same mistakes they did two years ago in losing the Euro 2016 final when they take on Croatia for the biggest prize in football, midfielder Paul Pogba (pictured) said.

France face the Croats in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, but are rejecting the favourites tag, which cost them dearly two years ago, he said yesterday.

The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semifinal, setting up an encounter in Paris against then-underdogs Portugal, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.

“We do not want to make the same mistakes like two years ago. We want to work for it, to give everything we have to take this Cup home,” Pogba told reporters.

“I think at the Euro we thought it was already a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now.

“I cannot lie that when we beat Germany we thought that was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.”

France have been improving throughout the tournament and beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without needing extra time or penalties.

Croatia needed spot kicks to advance against Denmark in the last-16 and against Russia in the quarterfinals. They then came from a goal down against England on Wednesday to win 2-1 in extra time.

That is not a sign of a struggling team, according to Pogba, but one that has a lot of talent.

“The Croats had a very difficult match. But they are mentally very strong.”

Pogba said while Croatian midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force the French plan would not be limited to stopping the Real Madrid playmaker.

“The Croats are not just Modric. They have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic,” Pogba said. “Even their defenders are outstanding players. I don’t think there is a plan just for Modric. The plan is to win the match.” – Reuters