World Cup 2022: France’s Coman and Kolo Muani strengthen Pavard’s back

Does Bayern professional split the squad?

At FC Bayern, right-back Benjamin Pavard has caused a stir and displeasure in recent weeks with his statements about changes, and the 26-year-old is also a topic of conversation with the French national team during the ongoing World Cup in Qatar. After coach Didier Deschamps publicly criticized the defender after his first and so far only appearance in the opening game against Australia, the sports newspaper reported “L’Equipe“ A few days later, Pavard was controversial within the “Équipe Tricolore” and some national players would oppose the Bayern professional. His Munich teammate Kingsley Coman, among others, has now commented.

“I’ve had several discussions with him and I don’t think he’s in his best shape. Apparently the first game against Australia didn’t help him either, without wanting to go into detail,” Deschamps explained in the press conference after the bankruptcy in the last group game against Tunisia, when asked about Pavard. The defender had previously started in the opening game against Australia and played 89 minutes, but was partly to blame for the early goal. Against Denmark, the coach replaced him with Barcelona’s Jules Koundé.

Again “table football” reported that in the run-up to the tournament, Deschamps made an announcement to Pavard that he should get involved less in the offensive game and instead play his balls on Ousmane Dembelé, who was positioned in front of him. The player couldn’t get used to it and showed his displeasure through appropriate body language on the pitch. As a result, the mood within the team turned against him. According to “L’Équipe”, Dembélé in particular spoke out against Pavard, while others such as keeper Hugo Lloris or striker Olivier Giroud would have backed the defender.

Coman on Pavard: “He’s ready for the rest of the tournament”

Kingsley Coman, who has played in all three of France’s World Cup games so far, also helped his Munich team-mate in the run-up to the round of 16 duel with Poland on Sunday (from 4 p.m. in the TM live ticker): “I spoke to him briefly after the game spoken,” said the 26-year-old, who added: “He is very motivated. I don’t have to worry. He’s ready for the rest of the tournament.” Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani also downplayed the “L’Équipe” report: “He’s integrated, he talks to everyone, he laughs a lot.”

It remains to be seen whether the 47-time national player and world champion from 2018 will play again at the tournament in Qatar. Currently he seems to be only third choice at Deschamps behind Koundé and Axel Disasi from AS Monaco. The future at FC Bayern also remains uncertain. According to reports, the Munich team wants to extend the contract with the Frenchman beyond 2024, but according to “Kicker” he is said to have expressed his wish to only be used as a central defender in the future.

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