Didier Deschamps praises Ousmane Dembélé’s performance against Iraq: “Maybe now you’ll get off his case.” | OneFootball

Speaking to the press in the wake of France’s convincing win over Iraq, Didier Deschamps notably praised Ousmane Dembélé’s performance, which included a goal and an assist in the second half.

The reigning Ballon d’Or recipient was the subject of criticism over his underwhelming display against Senegal, although his captain leapt to his defence on the eve of Monday’s match in Philadelphia.

“Maybe now you [journalists] will get off his case now and find another target,” France’s head coach joked after the match. “There haven’t been any issues with him, he’s just adapting to a system he’s not used to playing in during the rest of the year. Once he’s in good form physically, it’s only a matter of making adjustments.”

“He has my confidence and he knows it. He’s not the kind of player who doubts himself, but it’s important that he did what he did today because he’s a decisive player. He has that capacity, and if he hasn’t shown it until now it’s because he’s had some spells out. He’s been with the national team since 2018, but he was often coming off the bench. [His performance today] is good for him and, most of all, for the national team.”

Dembélé assisted Mbappé’s second goal by intercepting a missed first touch by the Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. Around ten minutes later, he converted a one-on-one chance from close range after being played through by Michael Olise. The goal was the first of his career at a major tournament with Les Bleus.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from Philadelphia