Didier Deschamps said that a virus in the France team contributed to their dreadful start to the World Cup final on Sunday, but he refrained from attributing full responsibility for Les Bleus’ defeat.
After a dramatic 3-3 tie at Lusail Stadium, Argentina prevailed in a penalty shootout, preventing France from becoming the first side to defend the World Cup since 1962.
Mbappe’s hat-trick allowed France to force extra time and penalties, but Deschamps’ squad got off to a poor start and became the first team to go the whole first half of a World Cup final without taking a shot.
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When France defeated Morocco in the semifinals, Rabiot and Upamecano were absent due to sickness, and numerous other players apparently showed signs in the days leading up to the final match.
When questioned about the virus’s spread following Sunday’s loss, Deschamps said that it contributed to France’s sluggish start.
“The whole squad has been facing a tricky situation for a while now, maybe that had a physical and psychological impact,” Deschamps said.
“But I had no concerns about the players who started the match. They were 100 per cent fit, but we only had four days since the last match so perhaps there is some tiredness.
“That’s not an excuse but we didn’t show the same energy as previous matches and for the first hour we weren’t in the match.
“In those first 70 minutes or so, we were playing a very aggressive and dynamic opponent and we weren’t at the same level for a number of reasons.
“We managed to come back from the dead and made a magnificent comeback from a very difficult situation.”
