France coach Didier Deschamps has defended his decision to withdraw Adrien Rabiot at half-time during the World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, insisting the Milan midfielder indicated he could not play his normal game while carrying a yellow card.
Les Bleus fell to a 2-0 loss against Spain in the last four, ending their hopes of winning the trophy at the finals staged across North America. The defeat sparked debate over several of Deschamps’ tactical choices, including his preference for Aurélien Tchouaméni ahead of Roma’s Manu Koné in the starting line-up.
Deschamps responds to criticism
The half-time substitution of Rabiot proved particularly contentious. The midfielder had received a booking during the first period and risked a second yellow card that would have ruled him out of a potential final.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s third-place final against England, Deschamps explained his reasoning. “The relationship I have with Adrien and the others… at the first hydration break, he comes over to me and says: ‘I can’t play my normal game anymore,'” he said.
Deschamps, who won the World Cup as both player and manager, emphasised he understood the player’s predicament from personal experience. “I was a player, so I understand perfectly well. I was in two different semi-finals with a yellow card hanging over my head, and I remember that feeling,” he stated.
Risk of suspension
He elaborated on the tactical risk involved in keeping Rabiot on the pitch. “In midfield, the game is wide open, so the threat can come from anywhere,” Deschamps noted. “I told him, you can manage it, don’t leave your foot trailing. There was one situation where it was close.”
Despite acknowledging Rabiot had been among France’s better performers, Deschamps described the change as a necessary “risk assessment”. He added: “I deprived myself of a player who was in the best form for that match. It was a risk assessment, half-time was a window of opportunity for substitutions.”
Tournament regulations meant yellow cards were wiped after the quarter-final stage. However, a red card would still have triggered a suspension, potentially denying Rabiot a place in the final had France progressed.
Third-place final awaits
France must now regroup for the third-place play-off against England on Saturday. The match offers Les Bleus the chance to secure a consolation prize after their elimination from the competition.