News Focus
- France adopt an aggressive attacking strategy for the World Cup under departing manager Didier Deschamps
- Adrien Rabiot accepts a defensive role to support the team’s star forwards
- The squad includes nine attackers led by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki
- Rabiot seeks redemption after missing the 2018 triumph and losing the 2022 final
- The midfielder praises team unity during their training camp in Boston
France are preparing to show a different face at this summer’s World Cup. The squad looks more dangerous in attack than ever before. “We appear more offensive than normal,” says midfielder Adrien Rabiot. “This is positive because we possess the right players for this approach.”
Lucas Hernández claims France own “the best attack in the world”. Fellow player Rayan Cherki talks about dominating opponents completely. Rabiot agrees with this confident mood. “We have one of the strongest attacking groups available. We possess genuine threats from the first minute and from the substitutes’ bench. This depth matters greatly during a World Cup,” he explains.
This attacking focus comes from manager Didier Deschamps. The coach leads the team for the last time at this tournament. He has selected nine forwards for his squad. The group includes captain Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, creative talent Michael Olise and skilled playmaker Rayan Cherki. Desiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Maghnes Akliouche, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram complete the powerful strike force.
Deschamps wants his team to be “less predictable, less readable” for opponents. However, football expert Arsène Wenger warns about risks. He believes too much attack creates defensive weakness. Rabiot understands this danger. He knows he must provide balance.
“I have discussed this with the manager. My job with France differs from my role at AC Milan. There I play box-to-box. Here, balance is everything,” Rabiot states. The 31-year-old accepts his task is to help others perform. “We each have a job. You must stay humble about this. I work hard so players in front and behind me can play their best. Attackers and goal scorers receive more praise than midfielders or defenders. This is normal,” he adds.
Rabiot compares his situation to N’Golo Kanté’s experience. Kanté often plays important but less visible roles. “Some players do vital work without receiving much promotion. N’Golo is like this. He gives everything on the pitch. Even when he is not the star, he shows desire and determination,” Rabiot notes. At 35, Kanté no longer starts every match. Yet he remains crucial. “He is still a very important member of the squad,” says Rabiot.
Modern football demands more from everyone. Rabiot notices this change. “You cannot have just nine or ten players defending now. The whole team must help. Look at the recent Champions League. Teams that work hard together progress furthest. We need a group that attacks well and defends well. This is modern football,” he explains.
The atmosphere in training pleases Rabiot. “There is freshness, technique and enthusiasm,” he reports. Freedom helps the squad succeed. “Everyone can express their talent. We enjoy training together. This matters most during a long competition,” he says.
France hope to stay in their Boston base for many weeks. The team reached the final in the last two World Cups. Rabiot missed the 2018 victory in Russia. He refused a place on the reserve list that year. He returned for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. France lost that final to Argentina. “Since then, we have wanted revenge,” Rabiot declares.
Winning in North America would honour Deschamps. The manager leaves after this tournament. Rabiot feels close to him despite their difficult history. Rabiot did not play under Deschamps between 2018 and 2020. Even when problems happened at club level this season, Deschamps kept faith. “I select him for who he is and what he offers us,” Deschamps said recently.
Deschamps cares little for his personal legacy. Rabiot thinks differently. “You always want to finish well. People remember the final image longest,” he says. He believes French supporters do not fully appreciate recent successes. “Foreign fans admire us more. They wish for such results. If they had a manager like Deschamps, they would be extremely happy. We should not take this success for granted. It is not normal,” Rabiot insists.
Deschamps values results over beautiful play. Rabiot shares this view. He leaves the style to the attackers. His job is simply to make it possible.