French lesson learned
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 said yesterday.
France face the Croats in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday, but they are rejecting the favourites tag which cost them dearly two years ago, he said.
France beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final to set up a clash in Paris with then-underdogs Portugal, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.
“We are conscious of the situation, 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,” said Pogba.
“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. That will not 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 quarter-finals. 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.
“The Croats had a very difficult match and they were behind. But they are mentally very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more. We are not the favourites. We stay as we are from the start of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that’s our strength. We are chasing something and will do everything to succeed.”
France, world champions in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semis, are in their third final. It is unknown territory for Croatia, however.
“For sure the Croats they want the star (for winning the title), they have had a good run. They want to win.”
Pogba said that while Croatia 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.” - Reuters