Blaise Matuidi explains what makes France wonderkid Kylian Mbappe a “very interesting player”

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France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has said Kylian Mbappe’s ability to find space in tight areas makes him a “very interesting player” ahead of Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay.

Mbappe scored the winning goal in France’s 1-0 victory over Peru in the group stages and found the net twice in the 4-3 thriller against Argentina in the Round of 16.

In doing so, the 19-year-old became the first teenager to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Pele against Sweden in 1958.

Mbappe was praised for his powerful, driving runs against Argentina, something his France teammate Matuidi, who is suspended for Friday’s game, will have seen plenty of both in training and during matches.

And Matuidi has revealed the France squad will put their trust in Mbappe to find openings against Uruguay’s solid defence.

“Watching him in day-to-day training, I can tell you that even in small spaces ‘the little guy’ is strong,” said Matuidi, according to Goal.

“He’s tough to mark. He can move between the smallest spaces. He’s very alive in the way he changes his rhythm with the ball or when he calls for the ball. He’s a very interesting player in that sense.

“Even if Uruguay are a tough team who leave no space to the opponent, he can find spaces. We trust him.”

Uruguay have conceded just one goal at the tournament so far, with Atletico Madrid duo Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez replicating their formidable club partnership at the heart of their country’s defence.

France had scored just three goals prior to the Round of 16, but their four-goal haul against Argentina will give them confidence ahead of the quarter-finals.

The post Blaise Matuidi explains what makes France wonderkid Kylian Mbappe a “very interesting player” appeared first on Squawka News.



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