Former France manager Raymond Domenech has slammed his nation’s 2018 World Cup winning side as they kick off the defence of their title by claiming he was “bored” by their success in Russia.
Les Bleus won the title for the second time four years ago as they enjoyed an unbeaten run to the final before dismissing of Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. Forwards Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe both found the net on the day with a strike from Paul Pogba and an own-goal from Mario Mandzukic rounding off the scoring in a pulsating final.
Their victory came 20 years after their initial success in 1998 having overcome holders Brazil on home soil. Domenech, who led France to the 2006 final which they infamously lost to Italy following Zinedine Zidane’s red card, has since revealed that he was not particularly entertained in watching his nation lift the World Cup four years ago.
Speaking to Puremedias, he said: “I’m going to be the bad guy. I’m going to tell you I was bored during the 2018 edition. I’m trying to pick out a match.
“Can anyone spontaneously tell me a match from 2018 that they remember? A match where there was everything? There was none.
“Apart from us winning, I don’t have any exciting memories, and I was on commentary. I have nothing, I have wiped everything out. I felt no emotion – Interplanetary emptiness.”
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Whilst Domenech’s claim could potentially be well-founded at the group stage - France only scoring three goals in as many matches - they were far more entertaining in the knockout stages. They squeezed past Argentina 4-3 in Kazan to book their place in the quarter-finals.
A 2-0 success over two-time champions Uruguay followed before Didier Deschamps ’ men edged past Belgium in the last four to set up their final tie with Croatia.
Whilst France managed to lift the trophy last time, they face a much tougher assessment this winter as they aim to become the first country to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. The current squad has been decimated with injuries, causing havoc in the French ranks.
Midfield duo Pogba and N’Golo Kante were not deemed fit enough to earn places in the squad, whilst RB Leipzig goalscoring sensation Christopher Nkunku was forced to pull out having picked up a serious injury in training.
He was swiftly followed by current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema - the Real Madrid striker also being made to withdraw having suffered a thigh strain. Despite that, Deschamps has confirmed that he has no intention to call up a replacement.
Speaking on Sunday, he said: “It’s obviously a big blow to lose Karim. He had done everything [to be available], so had we. He was in a session and felt pain in his other leg after an innocuous action. The scans confirmed that unfortunately it is too big a strain compared to the schedule that awaits us. Will he be replaced? No.”
