France facing turmoil as Kylian Mbappe left stunned by team-mate's dressing room rant - The Mirror

France lost 3-1 at home to Italy on Friday as their Nations League campaign started with a sour defeat, as goalkeeper Mike Maignan scolded his team-mates inside the dressing room

Kylian Mbappe was silenced by an impassioned rant from France team-mate Mike Maignan, as the fallout from Friday's 3-1 defeat to Italy turned ugly.

Serious unrest appears to have hit Les Blues' dressing room, as they attempt to recover from a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. Boss Didier Deschamps could only guide his side through to the semi-finals in Germany - and that was by the skin of their teeth.

France failed to score a goal from open play during the group stage, finishing second, before edging past Belgium in the round of 16. They were then dismal against Portugal in the quarter-finals, although managed by book a clash with Spain by winning on penalties.

The eventual tournament winners deservedly dumped Deschamps and co out, yet the World Cup-winning manager later received the backing of the French FA to continue in his post after 12 years. With France now back in action for the opening round of Nations League matches, they couldn't have got off to a much worse start.

Ironically, Bradley Barcola actually gave France the lead after just 13 seconds, only for Italy to take control in Paris. Federico Dimarco's fantastic equaliser was followed up by goals from Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori, as the Azzurri - the biggest nation to suffer an early exit at Euro 2024 - claimed all three points away from home.

Mbappe led his team as skipper, as he's done since March 2023, but the new Real Madrid megastar and vice-captain Antoine Griezmann weren't the men dishing out the harsh words post-match. According to L'Equipe, goalkeeper Maignan tore into his team-mates in a rant which lasted two full minutes.

Maignan took aim at France's attitude in the game and acknowledged that Italy deserved to win thanks to their superior hunger and desire. The AC Milan shot-stopper also claimed that, on paper, only two Italians would get into France's starting line-up.

No one 'dared' to speak once Maignan, 29, was finished, with Mbappe and Griezmann sat silent. Deschamps was also scathing in the dressing room and allegedly denounced France's 'lack of effort', later criticising the fitness of his squad in an interview.

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"We had started so well, scoring the goal and putting good pressure on Italy," Deschamps told RAI Sport. "It's tough to keep that high press and intensity up, so even before half-time I saw a physical dip. We made mistakes, which allowed Italy to equalise.

"In trying that high press, we opened up spaces and Italy hurt us with attacking players who pushed up. Without a solid block, it became very difficult for us. Italy defend very well and we have great attacking players, but you have to be wary leaving those spaces or they'll hurt you in return."

When Maignan spoke to the media, he played down his dressing-room speech, insisting: "What is said in the locker room stays between us," before adding: "There no need to worry."

Ibrahima Konate all but confirmed Maignan's harsh words to French broadcaster Telefoot, with the Liverpool defender saying: "If I can summarise what was said, it's that we have individuals who are extraordinary.

"But we have to put these individuals at the service of the collective. With the team we have, we have to scare everyone and today, being beaten 3-1 at home is disappointing. It's sad. Now that's over, we have to show a reaction."

That reaction will be expected to come at home to Belgium on Monday, with the game being played in Lyon. Another indication that all isn't well inside the France dressing room was Griezmann's recent questioning of Deschamps' tactics.

Usually an ever-present for Les Blues, the Atletico Madrid forward was benched in their final group game against Poland and in the semi-final against Spain. When he did play, though, Griezmann was deployed in a range of positions and never found his feet.

"There were a lot of position and tactical changes and we had to deal with that," the 33-year-old admitted to Marca. "I had done my preparation with Atletico to be in good physical shape. If I had scored the two goals against Holland, my Euros would have been different.

"Did it bother me to change position? Not when I was on the pitch, but against Poland and Spain I was upset not to play. They were tactical decisions and you have to respect them, even if they bother you. Everything revolves around the team. But it hasn't been my best competition."

Not for the first time in Deschamps' reign, a match against Belgium looks to be vitally important.

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