France manager Didier Deschamps has revealed his decision to replace Ibrahima Konate at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday was not due to injury.
The national team’s X account claimed Konate was replaced by Dayot Upamecano after he ‘picked up a knock in the first half’, but after a disastrous 45 minutes in Split, there was confusion surrounding the exact reasons behind the decision to replace the Liverpool defender.
Speaking after the match, Deschamps clarified: “I know it’s tough, but I saw him struggling, not at his best, so I preferred to substitute him.” French outlet L’Equipe adds that he ‘ruled out a physical problem for Konate’.
The center-back, four days on from Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, put in a disastrous first-half display in the Nations League quarter-finals. Konate conceded an early penalty when the ball, somewhat unfortunately, bounced up and hit his hand in the penalty area. Thankfully, from a French perspective, that spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
But the AC Milan stopper could do nothing to stop Ante Budmir’s opener in the 26th minute, when the Croatian striker exposed a huge gap in the French defense and headed beyond Maignan. Konate was then partly at fault for Ivan Perisic’s strike just before the break, when he was pulled out of position resulting in a disorganised back four that the hosts punished.
L’Equipe’s famously harsh player ratings awarded the 25-year-old 2/10, on a bad night for the 2018 World Cup winners. Les Bleus will have the opportunity to overturn that first leg deficit when Croatia travels to Paris on Sunday.
(Image: Getty Images)
But Liverpool will be pleased that Konate has not suffered a significant injury, especially with Alisson replaced due to a suspected concussion in Brazil’s win over Colombia just a few hours later. Ryan Gravenberch was also forced to drop out of the Netherlands squad on Wednesday due to injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was replaced with an ankle issue against Paris Saint-Germain that is expected to keep him out for around a month, in a bruising 10 days for Slot that has seen injury concerns raised about four of his first-choice XI.
Konate, at least, is expected to be available for the Reds’ next game which comes at home to Everton on 2 April. The former RB Leipzig man has made 34 appearances this season and has started every Premier League match this calendar year since returning from a knee injury in late December.
