Kounde: Disappointed we couldn't get a win for Deschamps; We should thank him for his efforts

In the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off, France lost 4-6 to England and finished fourth. Kounde, the French defender who came on as a substitute in this match, said after the game that he was very disappointed not to have secured a victory for Deschamps; the team should be grateful for his contributions.

How did you view the match from the bench?

We played very, very poorly in the first half for many reasons. In the second half, we were closer to the level we should show when wearing the French national team jersey. But it wasn't enough, even though we created many chances in the second half. We are all disappointed to end this tournament with a second loss and not to have secured a victory for the coach.

What regrets do you have?

The first regret is not making it to the final. This was a difficult match to play. Personally, I don't think this type of match should be played. Because as a competitor, it is very difficult to play such a match after preparing all along for the only goal – which is the final.

That being said, we really should have done better. Overall, we left a positive impression, and people enjoyed watching us play, but ending this way still leaves a bitter taste in our mouths.

What did Upamecano's excellent substitute appearance bring to the team?

It's about pride; we couldn't just end the game after being 0-4 down at halftime. For a team like ours, that was unacceptable.

Upamecano brought that spirit, he played well throughout the tournament and performed very well tonight. Everyone raised their game, which allowed the team to play with more substance.

How will you remember Deschamps?

It's hard to summarize him with just one image because there are so many memories and so many years. More importantly, it's his coaching journey; we all remember when he took over the French national team. We were in a difficult period, both in terms of competition and team image, and fans were somewhat alienated from the team. Over the years, he and his coaching staff, as well as all the players who played under him, together brought this team back to its feet.

We should thank him for that, and also for the 2018 championship. The future of the French team is also bright; we have a very good team and a lot of talent.

What did you remember from his last speech in the dressing room?

That moment was difficult; he was very emotional during his last speech. He thanked us for the years we spent together, for this tournament, and for all our efforts, even though we didn't do everything perfectly.

In terms of team atmosphere, Deschamps' tenure was a very positive experience, and we also brought a lot of joy to French fans, which is equally important.

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