DECINES-CHARPIEU, June 10: Paul Pogba put in an improved performance but France looked flat in a 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against the United States in Lyon on Saturday.
Julian Green gave the US, who failed to make it to Russia, the lead on the stroke of half-time but teenage starlet Kylian Mbappe equalised for the hosts.
Pogba had been jeered a week ago in a 3-1 victory over Italy but it was his pass that teed up Mbappe to save face for the Euro 2016 finalists in a match they were expected to win.
With perhaps one eye on their opening World Cup clash against Australia, 2-1 winners over Hungary earlier in the day, on June 16, France were pedestrian for long periods.
�We lacked a bit of juice. But we created enough chances to win,� said coach Didier Deschamps to TF1.
�But that�s the way it goes, against a young United States team that was very generous, who didn�t leave us a lot of space and tried to defend well.�
Crucially, though, Pogba battled hard defensively, took charge offensively and played some clever passes. France will expect more of the same in Russia. � AFP
DECINES-CHARPIEU, June 10: Paul Pogba put in an improved performance but France looked flat in a 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against the United States in Lyon on Saturday.
Julian Green gave the US, who failed to make it to Russia, the lead on the stroke of half-time but teenage starlet Kylian Mbappe equalised for the hosts.
Pogba had been jeered a week ago in a 3-1 victory over Italy but it was his pass that teed up Mbappe to save face for the Euro 2016 finalists in a match they were expected to win.
With perhaps one eye on their opening World Cup clash against Australia, 2-1 winners over Hungary earlier in the day, on June 16, France were pedestrian for long periods.
�We lacked a bit of juice. But we created enough chances to win,� said coach Didier Deschamps to TF1.
�But that�s the way it goes, against a young United States team that was very generous, who didn�t leave us a lot of space and tried to defend well.�
Crucially, though, Pogba battled hard defensively, took charge offensively and played some clever passes. France will expect more of the same in Russia. � AFP
