Adrien Rabiot is fired up and ready to go ahead of the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain tonight.
The midfielder was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport before the match in Dallas, which kicks off at 21:00 CEST. Rabiot has featured in every match so far in the tournament apart from the one against Norway, and is in line to start again.
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It would be fair to say that the Milan star is not worried by the prospect of facing the European champions, a team that have conceded only one goal in the tournament so far. His words were relayed by MilanVibes.
Lamine Yamal has shown great confidence in his own and Spain’s abilities. Do you have a special plan to stop him?
“No, nothing specifically designed for him. We know Spain well and we know how strong they are. They’re dangerous at every level: at the back, with their few goals conceded, up front, pressing.
“They have the quality to attack the tight spaces near the penalty area and the ability to combine with their dribbling in every part of the pitch… For our part, we’re focused and attentive to the Spanish team, not the individual players.”
And Lamine Yamal also said that if France has to fear one team, it is Spain…
“Honestly, we’re not afraid of anyone. Given the path we’re taking in this World Championship, given the conditions we’re in, it’s clear that everything is very open.”
You’ve lost your last two semi-finals against them, at the 2024 European Championship and in the Nations League last year. What makes you think this is the right time?
“Nothing, nothing. We’ll see how it goes. What’s certain is that we’re focused and prepared. I repeat, we’re confident about what we’ve done and demonstrated so far. I don’t think we could have entered this great challenge in better condition. Obviously, the game, the pitch, and the match remain.
“That’s why we need to maintain the humility that has characterised us since the beginning of the tournament. From this foundation, I hope, we’ll move towards the finish line: a World Cup final is at stake, our third consecutive appearance…”
How have France changed since the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship?
“Well, I’d say it’s the quality of our shared life. We truly feel a kind of osmosis, a real cohesion, between us. These are things that are difficult to explain – I think of the word chemistry – but in any case, it’s clear that off the pitch the group works very well.
“I think this is the foundation of our success, because these factors, let’s say ‘external’ to the pitch, then reach the pitch. In this sense, I’d add another thing: the family problems that have affected the coach have been another decisive factor in bringing us even closer.”
It is a coach who is in his last tournament with you…
“Exactly. All the more reason to give it our all. So many aspects came together, aligned, and created a true osmosis within us.”
The impression is that France are imposing themselves on games with great ease and consistency…
“We’ve always tried to take responsibility. Here at the World Cup, communication is key for me: we talk a lot among ourselves, in the hotel, on the flight, during break times.
“We try to analyse the matches in small groups, and these are important things that complement whatever the coach or the technical staff can tell us or suggest.
“We speak the same language, we push in the same direction, and we discuss a lot among ourselves about what’s happening or could happen on the pitch without having to constantly consult with the technical staff.”
In the meantime, there seem to be no doubts at the moment about where Rabiot will be heading after his post-World Cup vacation. His mother-agent apparently told Rai that she does not envisage her son departing Milan before 2026-27, which is music to Ruben Amorim’s ears.
