More Offensive Than 2018 and 2022, Says Mbappe of France's Latest Vintage

Kylian Mbappe declared that France's current attacking lineup possesses a more offensive edge than the squads that competed in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals. As Les Bleus prepare to face Iraq, aiming to secure a place in the knockout stage, Mbappe emphasized the team's growing firepower and coordination.

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This is a more attacking team than in 2018 and 2022, a team that is much more geared towards going forward.

Following their 3-1 victory over Senegal, where Mbappe scored twice and Michael Olise impressed, the French captain noted the team's potential. "This is a more attacking team than in 2018 and 2022, a team that is much more geared towards going forward," Mbappe told reporters. He added that the second half against Senegal offered a glimpse of their capabilities when operating under optimal technical conditions.

Mbappe highlighted the developing understanding between himself, Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue. He believes this coordination in movement, positioning, and rotations makes France increasingly difficult to contain. "The advantage of this team is having so much talent. We are very aware of the quality we have up front," he stated.

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The second half was already a glimpse of what we can do when we're in good technical conditions.

Addressing suggestions that Ousmane Dembele underperformed against Senegal, Mbappe defended his teammate. "In the first half, he's the best attacker out of the four. He's the one who makes our play flow the most," Mbappe said after rewatching the match. He acknowledged that while he and Olise were decisive in the second half, Dembele's movement created crucial space for the attack to flourish, a contribution not always reflected in statistics but vital for scoring.

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We had that connection with Michael because the four of us in attack managed to be perfectly coordinated in terms of movement, positioning and rotations.

Coach Didier Deschamps noted that Dembele plays further forward at his club, Paris Saint-Germain, than for the national team, indicating an area for adjustment. France can secure advancement to the round of 32 with a victory over Iraq, before their final group match against Norway.

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The advantage of this team is having so much talent. We are very aware of the quality we have up front.