""Mateta was making only his second ever start and he scored a lovely header. So that's great for us and for him.""
""He has been improving steadily," Deschamps said of the winger. "With his temperament, he was a bit introverted at the beginning, but he's opened up a bit more. He's scoring now, he's made the most of his playing time. "He's managed to take a step forward.""
""Ekitike is gaining confidence too," Deschamps added. "He's a young player with lots of dynamism and he was able to express himself with his stamina to get around the pitch as well as his ability to penetrate with his speed. "So they're another two pieces to consider on the offensive side of the ball going forward.""
France rested several regulars, including Kylian Mbappe, Mike Maignan, Michael Olise, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, and fielded a rotated side for the final World Cup qualifier. After conceding in the fourth minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche scored before Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev's own goal made it 3-1 at half-time. Didier Deschamps praised the attacking output and Mateta's header. Deschamps highlighted Akliouche's steady improvement, greater confidence and chance creation, and he commended Hugo Ekitike's dynamism, stamina and penetration as additional offensive options.
Read at Soccer News
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