SSaturday evening the XV of France met for a prestigious revenge against South Africa, two years after the painful elimination in the quarter-final of the World Cup. Despite a point lead at half-time and above all a numerical superiority, the Blues lost 17-32 at the Stade de France to general astonishment. Dominated physically and in the scrum, but above all unable to find a plan B, Fabien Galthié’s players greatly disappointed.
The lack of automatisms for this autumn tour was felt, while the Springboks have been together since June, the Blues only had a few training sessions together for this test. In search of a first world title in 2027, the Blues are still far from the goal and have been dressed for the winter. “The annoying question: Did Fabien Galthié fail in his coaching? » asks Rugbyrama while BFM headlines that the “nightmare repeats itself”. For his part, The Team gave a score of 3/10 to Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the rising star of French rugby, proof that no one has escaped criticism.
“I have no intention of explaining my tactics, because you would not understand them” ��
Luis Enrique very annoyed and not very talkative after the defeat against Arsenal this evening (2-0) ��
Do you understand the reaction of the Parisian coach? #ARSPSG | #UCL pic.twitter.com/BXQLyC08gF
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 1, 2024
If the oval world accepts these reproaches without flinching, football still has difficulty with reprimands. In press conferences, coaches and players do not like to be put in difficulty. Bad tactical choices, unflattering dynamics, a big miss… it can happen to anyone. But the footballer is not comfortable with questioning when the microphones are open, and prefers to wash his dirty laundry with his family.
In an environment where ego dominates, an admission of weakness is not easy to confess. Even a great player like Karim Benzema has difficulty with this exercise, when a journalist asked him about his famous season with only five goals in La Liga, in 2017-2018, the French striker replied “and how many assists?” » Author of ten offerings that year in Spain, the Madrid striker preferred to highlight his collective record than recognize his difficulties at the time in the zone of truth.
With the press, I love you, me neither
Footballers like to play cat and mouse with journalists, and this is also the case for Didier Deschamps. During the last Euro, the Blues’ game was singled out for its reluctance and boredom. Questioned by a Swedish journalist, the coach did not hide his disapproval, with his usual touch of irony. “You’re Swedish, are you sure?” No, you are disguised… You live in France, that’s for sure. If you’re bored, watch something else. You don’t have to. It’s a special Euro, where it’s very difficult for everyone. If the Swedes are bored, it doesn’t really matter to me, but I respect you a lot (laughs). »
To Discover
Kangaroo of the day
Answer
Behind these exchanges which can tend to be passive-aggressive, footballers and coaches do not hesitate to question the legitimacy of journalists who have never set foot on a pitch. Rising personality in the French media landscape, Walid Acherchour was taken to task by Julian Palmieri, former Bastia and Lille player. “We understood that you had no honor, you are not the only one, don’t worry. I can’t help it as soon as you talk about football, my ears bleed. »
Football remains the most popular sport on the planet and in the age of social networks, debates have multiplied. If many exchanges are toxic, football also feeds on these reflections. Certain questions in press conferences and interviews can be disturbing and sometimes have no place in this type of exercise, but the players must soften and be less touchy. As Rudi Garcia said: “Football is never a long, quiet river. »
