Ibrahima Konaté adjusts to fourth-choice France role as Lacroix steps ahead | OneFootball

Ibrahima Konaté has dropped to fourth in France’s centre-back hierarchy, limited to 15 minutes in the 4-1 win over Norway on Friday. The Liverpool regular is now learning to live with a reduced role.

L'Équipe reports that Maxence Lacroix started on the left of defence and his freshness has impressed staff, while Konaté’s brief outing was tidy and appreciated. His display in the friendly against Ivory Coast earlier this month was viewed as mixed.

Two years on from Euro 2024, little has changed. Back then he did not play a minute, behind Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, and he said he knew his place, would stay focused and keep any frustration to himself, while acknowledging Saliba deserved his chance.

Despite an uneven yet solid club season, marked by personal tragedies, Didier Deschamps stuck with the Upamecano-Saliba pairing, a choice explained internally and accepted by Konaté. The future Real Madrid defender decided his next move before the tournament to clear his head, and had sensed Lacroix had edged ahead.

Konaté has not sulked, maintaining early gym work and intensity in training, and he spent Saturday in Boston with visiting family. Those close to him say he remains determined and ready if called. The question now is whether he can reclaim first-reserve status in the knockout rounds, with Lacroix’s composed display not appearing to close the debate.

Source: L'Équipe