Midfielder AC Milan, Franck Kessié is one of the drivers of Côte d'Ivoire, whose level of play is still questioning since the beginning of this CAN-2019. At the microphone of Xavier Chemisseur and Achraf Abid, on France 24, he agreed to return to these first three weeks of competition, a few hours of a quarter-final clash against Algeria.
France 24: You are in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations ... A few hours from the kickoff of this shock against Algeria, which feeling prevails ?
Franck Kessié: Any good player dreams of playing a big game like this one in his career ... After, it's true that Algeria is a big piece but when you call yourself Ivory Coast, you do not be afraid of any opponent.
You have already played some tough matches against Morocco and South Africa, and then it was necessary to get out of this round of 16 against Mali ...
It's true, this match against Mali was played to the mind ... We still had a good team from Mali in front, who had also finished at the top of his group, so we knew what was waiting for us. We fought, we struggled ... I would say it was played in the experience, in front of it was a young team. We ourselves are quite young, but we still have some players who have experience. In my opinion, this is what has been lacking in Mali.
In this match, we had the impression to see Mali in the costume of Ivory Coast, a few years ago, with a team player, and Elephants in a more pragmatic position, with the aim of winning more than to really play ...
When we play this kind of matches, it happens inevitably. It is not necessary to play well every game. After, I think we have not been so badly treated as that. During the first half, we are effectively missing, but in the second half, we are present in the impact. But finally, it sure we did well but hey, it's a knockout match and all that matters is to beat the opponent. That's what we did.
Since the beginning of the competition, we have the impression that the Ivory Coast is doing it every time to the mind ... It is the first quality of your team ?
When you build a team, you have to know the basics, and they have been put in place. We are a group with a big mind, which is strong. We must continue to play on it while trying to compensate anyway with more quality in the game.
There are many offensive talents in this team, many qualities but it seems that it does not necessarily succeed in putting the game. You are one of the few to give satisfaction ... Are you satisfied with your Cup from Africa ?
Personally, I am not satisfied because I know that I can still do much better, as I do in a club, at AC Milan. When you play in a big European team, you have to show it in selection, give a hand to the teammates.