Didier Deschamps, the French national team coach, strongly defended his captain Kylian Mbappé against criticism regarding the striker's running and physical exertion on the pitch. Speaking at the Laval Sports Press Festival on Tuesday, Deschamps asserted that the Real Madrid star is not selfish and that his tactical role does not require him to cover marathon distances.

During an opening lecture addressing his relationship with the media, titled "A Coach Shouldn't Say That," Deschamps faced a journalist's question suggesting that Mbappé was the only player in the squad who "doesn't run." The veteran coach's response was a blend of sarcasm and technical analysis. He joked, "That description actually applies to the goalkeeper," before adding more seriously, "That's your analysis, and I don't agree with you, even if the statistics show that some players cover less distance than others.".

The 57-year-old coach explained his training philosophy regarding the French star, saying: “If you expect him to run at least 11 kilometers in every match, don’t expect that, because he simply won’t.” This statement reflects Deschamps’ deep understanding of Mbappé’s characteristics as a player who relies on explosiveness and top speed in crucial moments, rather than continuous running that could deplete his attacking energy.

Technical staff certification and the leader's role

Guy Stephan, Deschamps' assistant who was present at the Laval theater, stepped in to explain the technical aspects of Mbappé's performance, pointing out that the player "does a lot of high-intensity running," which is the most important criterion in modern football for strikers. Stephan added: "You may like Kylian's personality or you may not, but the fact is that young players adore him. Some might stereotype him as selfish and withdrawn, and of course, a striker needs a certain amount of positive selfishness to score goals, but I assure you that within the French national team camp, he acts like a true leader.".

The context of pressures and challenges of stardom

These statements take on particular significance given the constant pressure Kylian Mbappé faces, both with his club Real Madrid and with the French national team. Since his move to the Spanish giants, every move the French star makes has been scrutinized, with constant comparisons being drawn between his defensive and offensive contributions. Deschamps is well aware that protecting his star player from media criticism is a crucial part of managing the dressing room, especially ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

Deschamps and Stéphane's defensive approach reflects a clear strategy to maintain the stability of the French national team, where Mbappé is considered the cornerstone of the "Les Bleus" project. Demanding high running rates might conflict with the physiology of players who rely on explosive speed, a fact well understood by the coaching staff, who prioritize attacking efficiency and clinical finishing over mere statistics related to distance covered.

Al-Qadisiyah's first football team secured a valuable three points with a hard-fought and well-deserved 1-0 victory over Al-Khaleej, courtesy of a goal from Italian international striker Matteo Rettigny. The match, part of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League, took place on Tuesday evening at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, and was characterized by its competitiveness and excitement until the final whistle.

Returning to the match itself, the visitors almost surprised the home side with a very early goal just two minutes after kickoff, when Norwegian Joshua King unleashed a dangerous shot that was brilliantly saved by the outstanding goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar, who turned it behind for a corner in the third minute. After this intense start, the game remained a back-and-forth affair, and Al-Qadsia had a clear-cut chance when Uruguayan defender Gaston Alvarez rose to meet a corner kick, heading it perfectly towards goal, but Luxembourg's goalkeeper Anthony Morris was there to make a fine save in the 24th minute. Al-Qadsia continued to press, with Nahitan Hernandez firing a powerful shot that went over the crossbar in the 29th minute, before their dominance finally paid off in the 41st minute when Mathieu Retegui met a perfectly delivered cross and powerfully volleyed it into the net, giving his team the lead before the end of the first half.

In the second half, Al-Khaleej tried to get back into the game and level the score, missing a golden opportunity when Greek player Giorgos Masouras broke free and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot went wide of the post in the 55th minute, much to the dismay of the Al-Khaleej fans. From a swift and well-organized counter-attack, Al-Qadisiyah came very close to sealing the victory with a second goal, but for a brilliant save by goalkeeper Anthony Morris, who parried Retegui's shot with great difficulty, turning it behind for a corner in the 58th minute. The remaining minutes saw both teams exchange attacks, but the score remained unchanged until the referee blew the final whistle.

This match holds special significance as it pits two teams from the Eastern Province against each other, giving it a mini-derby feel, always characterized by passionate fans and intense competition. This victory underscores the remarkable progress Al-Qadisiyah has made this season, benefiting from its impressive international signings that have elevated the team's technical quality and made it a fierce competitor for top positions that qualify for continental competitions, amidst the tremendous development of the Saudi League and the growing global interest in its matches.

With this positive result, Al-Qadsia raised their points tally to 43, strengthening their hold on fourth place in the standings. This is a crucial position that guarantees the team's survival among the top contenders and their chances of competing for an Asian Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej's points total remains at 25, placing them in eighth position. This necessitates a reassessment of their strategy in the upcoming rounds to secure their place in the safe zone and avoid any slippage that could jeopardize their stability in the middle of the table.

The first football team of Al-Ettifaq Club succeeded in achieving a valuable and well-deserved victory with a score of (1-0) over its stubborn guest, Al-Taawon team, in the strong match that brought them together on Tuesday evening at the grounds of Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium (Ego) in Dammam, as part of the competitions of the twentieth round of the Saudi Professional League.

The spirit returns to the captains' battalion

This match held particular importance for Al-Ettifaq, serving as a lifeline to restore the team's psychological and technical balance, especially after their crushing 4-0 defeat to Al-Ahli in the previous round. The "Nawakhda" (Al-Ettifaq's nickname) entered the match determined to secure the three points, appease their fans, and improve their position in the league standings. This objective was achieved thanks to the tactical discipline and fighting spirit displayed by the players throughout the ninety minutes.

First half details: Goalkeepers shine

The first half was highly competitive, with both teams exchanging attacks. French professional Moussa Dembélé nearly opened the scoring early for Al-Ettifaq in the 10th minute after receiving a perfectly weighted long ball, but Brazilian goalkeeper Maëlson made a brilliant save. The attacking exchanges continued, with Al-Ettifaq's Slovakian goalkeeper Rodák making a crucial save from a dangerous shot by Frenchman Angelo Fulgini in the 27th minute. Portuguese player João Costa responded with a powerful shot that went over the crossbar.

Before the end of the first half, Al-Ettifaq intensified its attacks through the movements of Khaled Al-Ghannam, who created more than one opportunity, most notably a wonderful pass to the Dutchman Wijnaldum in the (40) minute, but goalkeeper Maelson continued his remarkable brilliance and blocked the ball and the follow-up of Al-Ettifaq players, so that the first half ended in a goalless draw.

The goal is to decide the outcome and change the standings

In the second half, the pace of the match increased, and the two teams exchanged dangerous attacks, until the (71) minute came to announce the joy of Al-Ettifaq, as the Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum managed to score the only goal of the match with a wonderful technical touch from inside the penalty area, translating his team’s relative advantage into a tangible lead.

Al-Taawon tried to come back through several attempts, most notably the shot by Ecuadorian Christopher Zambrano in the (83) minute, which Rodak brilliantly saved, and the match ended with Al-Ettifaq winning.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League

With this important victory, Al-Ettifaq raised their points tally to 32, strengthening their hold on seventh place and narrowing the gap with the leading teams, a positive sign for the team's future in the upcoming rounds. Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun's points remained at 38, keeping them in fifth place, thus missing a golden opportunity to move closer to the top four and compete for continental qualification spots.