Budapest (AFP)
Back in the France Espoirs team for the quarter-finals of the Euro on Monday against the Netherlands, Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar ensures not to be disappointed not to have been called up in A and says he is "back to a very good level".
Q: You come back for the quarter-finals after missing the first phase due to injury.
Is it special to be grafted in this way to a group during a competition?
A: "The first phase is a little regret. I would have liked to be there but my teammates did the job. So I'm coming to the quarter-finals but I'm not new either and I'm very up to speed. comfortable in this group. I was there two years ago for Euro-Espoirs in Italy, I know how it goes. I have experience and I will try to bring that. leadership has to happen naturally. I don't speak much but I know how to say things when necessary. "
Q: The French group is impressive.
Is the goal necessarily victory?
R: "I think we have a very good team. But we have no choice, we know that we will have to be present from the first minute. We know that we are a talented group but we must do so we know how to play together. We aspire to go as high as possible. We are confident, serene, determined, but we know that we are facing a very good team. I discussed it a little with Memphis Depay. said it was a great generation, that it played well, as always in the Netherlands. But then he saw our list and he saw that we had good players too. "
Q: Do you regret not preparing for the Euro with the A's?
A: "There is no disappointment. I was injured, I came back late. And I'm very happy to be there, I want to bring what I know how to do. Maybe I can also bring a little freshness, even if it has been a long season at OL. The positive point is that I came back to a very good level at the end of the season. It allowed me to gain rhythm and trust."
Interview at a press conference
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