On the bench against England during the small final (4-6), Jules Koundé came on at the end of the match in place of Malo Gusto. After the match, the Barça player explained that he did not want to play this match at all, which in no way excuses the Blues’ failed match. “The regret is above all not being in the final, it’s a difficult match to play. Personally, I think this is a match that should not be played, because it is very difficult as a competitor to play it after having prepared for only one objective, the final. That said, we must do better. Overall, we left a positive image and people enjoyed seeing us play, but ending like this leaves us with a bitter taste.”.
Koundé also paid tribute to Didier Deschamps, who played his last with the Blues: “a picture? Difficult, there are many and there have been many years. His journey rather. We remember the French team when he took it. Both in terms of sport and image, we were going through a difficult period, there was disenchantment, and over the years, he turned this team around with the work of his staff and all the players under his command. We must be grateful for that, for 2018. The future of the France team is bright too, we have a very good group and talent”.
