Kylian Mbappe left ‘unconvinced by Olivier Giroud’s apology’ for criticising him after the Bulgaria win, with boss Didier Deschamps ‘telling his side to “move on”‘ as the rift threatens to disrupt their Euro 2020 campaign
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly rejected Olivier Giroud’s apology after the Chelsea striker criticised his performance in France’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
Giroud came off the bench to score twice in the final 10 minutes of the match on Tuesday night. However, in his post-match interview, the striker aired his frustrations over the number of passes he received from his team-mates.
According to RMC Sport, Mbappe was so livid at Giroud’s comments that he wanted to give a press conference on the matter but this was rejected by France manager Didier Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappe (left) has reportedly rejected Olivier Giroud’s apology after the Chelsea striker (right) criticised his performance in France’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria
Mbappe remained hostile in Thursday’s training session despite Giroud’s attempts to clear things up
The outlet also claim Giroud attempted to clear things up with Mbappe in Thursday’s training session but that the Paris Saint-Germain star remained hostile.
Giroud is said to have admitted his words ‘ran away with him’ and that his comments were directed at a number of players.
After the victory over Bulgaria, Giroud told reporters: ‘Sometimes you make the runs and ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is.’
France boss Deschamps cooled down the situation after the match and refused to blame either player, saying: ‘If you received the ball after each time you called for it, it is always the same.
Didier Deschamps called a team meeting and insited his players had to move on
Giroud attempted to bring Mbappe into a hug at the end of the session but tension remained
‘The attacker says: “I am making runs, but it’s on the midfield.” The midfielders will say that it is on the attackers. Sometimes, the pass isn’t forthcoming, sometimes it is down to the movement. But this is not a stigmatisation of Kylian or whoever.’
Deschamps also reportedly called a meeting between the two players to attempt to resolve the situation, with the manager concerned about how it could affect his teams’ chances at the Euros.
He is then said to have held a group meeting with the full squad, telling them it was important to move on.
France are the favourites to win the tournament after their World Cup triumph in 2018 but the rift between Mbappe and Giroud threatens to disrupt their preparations.
There have been fall-outs in the France camp in previous tournaments, with Nicolas Anelka sent home from the 2010 World Cup after clashing with coach Raymond Domenech.
After the team meeting, Giroud is said to have forced a hug upon Mbappe after providing him with two assists in a small-sided game at the end of training.
However, the 22-year-old remained ‘moody’ and there is repotedly still tension between the pair.
The 34-year-old’s two strikes against Bulgaria put him five goals behind Thierry Henry’s all-time France record
France kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Germany on Tuesday before facing Portugal and Hungary in their remaining Group F fixtures.
Mbappe goes into the tournament off the back of another fantastic season for PSG. The forward scored 42 goals in 47 games across all competitions and also provided 11 assists.
Giroud, meanwhile, ended his season by winning the Champions League with Chelsea. The forward netted 11 times in 31 appearances but is a key player for his country.
His two strikes against Bulgaria on Tuesday put him five goals behind Thierry Henry’s all-time France record.
