Jonathan Bead
France captain Kylian Mbappe is ready to face in-form Brighton striker Evan Ferguson in a Euro 2024 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. Mbappe, who scored two goals in his last game against the Netherlands, is determined to prevent the 18-year-old forward from adding another chapter to his football fairytale. Ferguson has been attracting rave reviews in his first Premier League season, scoring goals to help Brighton reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Mbappe said, “He’s a good striker, an important striker for that team.” However, France hopes that “tomorrow he’s going to do nothing,” and they will win the game.
Mbappe’s recent double took him to 38 senior international goals, and he is only three goals behind Michel Platini, the next target in his sights. France manager Didier Deschamps is confident that Mbappe will pass this mark at some point as he is full of ambitions and always setting himself new objectives. However, Deschamps emphasizes that the group’s collective objectives come first, and the team’s main concern is to add three points to those banked on Friday night.
Deschamps is aware of the Irish threat, and he knows from experience how dangerous they can be. In Euro 2016, Robbie Brady fired them into a 1-0 lead over the French hosts from the penalty spot in Lyon before Antoine Griezmann struck twice to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Deschamps said, “Ireland are known for being direct and vertical in how they play, but of what I’ve seen in recent games, they are capable of playing the ball along the ground as well.” The game between France and the Republic of Ireland will be a mix of young and experienced players, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
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