The former France international spoke to AS USA about various topics including Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, France at the Euros and feeling sorry for Xavi.
that's it Hot in Paris That Betty's locks are neatly tied at the back of his head. The sun is already beating We are still at that time of day when the whirring and clanking of cafeteria coffee machines is the prominent noise on the streets of Europe.
However, not a bead of sweat from my house. But I haven't started asking any questions yet.
“No, I was not affected“, opens as we talk about it How did France perform? In the euro, “but I'm not surprised. It's been this way for 10 years now. I'm very surprised that here in France, we are still fighting the same battle in the studios about how to play the national team. We have to play better in attack. Given the quality and options that Deschamps has in this team.”
There were plenty of teams who failed to impress in the group stage of the tournament, with three of the four teams at best qualifying. Betty says the danger is not the same. When “you're not playing for your life” “There is clearly a 'different approach' from players and managers” although that does not soften his thoughts on Deschamps.
“I'm disappointed, I'm disappointed, but I'm not surprised at all. To be honest, I'm not worried. “It was like this a long time ago with Didier Deschamps.”
“I'm tired of all this for so long, every week.”
We move forward, without breaking a sweat, even though the sun is high in the sky. Just a huge, huge smile. that's why I asked him if he was happy about Mbappe leaving PSG, to be honestThere was no need for him to do so Shout, shout, shout Yes!, But he did it anyway.
“I'm happy because of the series we show every week. Will he leave? Will he come? What's going on between PSG and Mbappe? Did you have a nice breakfast this morning? Did he have a nice poo afterwards?
Then there is a pause. Betty puts his head in his hands to rest As a runner hits the ground after the immediate cheer of celebration subsides, “But for a long time I was so tired of everything, every week. “You open the newspapers, surf the Internet, and suddenly, something happens.”
He raises his head from his palms:I mean, it's been like this for years, every six months. Will he sign the contract? Will he stay? Come here…”
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“The fans and the press are waiting for him.”
The last time we talked, Beatty told AS last February Which Mbappe “could be a problem”. I asked him whether or not he had changed his mind about that assertion. While he did not repeat the specified wordsHis tone dropped immediately: Beatty knew where he was referring.
“I don't know if it would be a problem, but he knows exactly Where is he going?: The best club in the world, the club that won the Champions League and La Liga without him in the dressing room [that] Live perfectly. There is a big ego however The team comes first all the time, because Madrid is more important From every player, even if you are a Ballon d'Or winner. In Madrid, it doesn't matter how important you are.” He adds.
warning: “Mbappe knows this, he is smartTherefore, he will try to adapt as soon as possible to his new teammates in terms of presenting himself on the field. He knows it very well The fans and the press are waiting for him.They won't give him any time or any excuses.”
It's now time for Madrid's newspapers to be filled with Mbappe mania, and fans in the Spanish capital have waited a very long time for this deal to finally come to fruition, with some even wishing it would be over sooner. It's finished.
“I think we have the same situation, in Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. People were tired of all the speculation because it was like new Netflix series“.
It will be difficult to understand Vinicius as a striker
Questions have been raised about Where Mbappe will adapt on the fieldwith some doubting that Vinicius Junior could find himself playing in the midfield, but Petit, although admitting he is not sure, is not convinced that Kylian has it all his way: “Vinny Junior has been fantastic for Real Madrid, just like Rodrygo, just like Bellingham. So the only position available at the moment with Real Madrid is striker.
“I have no idea what Ancelotti wants to do. But I'm sure he won't take Vinicius from the left wing And position him as a striker. I don't think that will happen. That would be a difficult thing to understand“.
“I think Mbappé will start as a striker,” he guessed before admitting, “Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s how it is for me, if You don't want to have any problems with your players, especially from someone just coming into the locker room. I mean, Vini doesn't suffer from being compared to Mbappe, he's a great player in Madrid. I don't think Ancelotti will give Mbappe the favor of substituting himYou know, on behalf of Vinicius, and he knows that. that it Big, big, big challenge Go to Madrid. Yes, of course.”
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Betty: I feel sorry for Xavi
There is no yin without yang so we move on to talk about it Barcelona has a new coach Hansi Flick A brilliant generation of young people is coming. Despite the economic problems, Petit believes that “the future of the club is the young stars.”
After checking both names Lamine Yamal and Bao Kuparsi As high-profile players, Beattie warns that “there are a few players who have become very big, starting with Lewandowski with very huge wages,” before admitting that There are no “guarantees” about who the club can sign.
On the outgoing director Petit admitted that he feels “sorry” for Xavi “Because he was a great player” and also a “Barcelona legend”. It's unfortunate sometimes to see such a legend like this. He is very dedicated to Barcelona. I suspect He was so frustrated, so unhappy. What happens inside the club. “I feel sorry for him.”
Xavi won the 2008 European Championship and Euro 2012 with Spain, and Betty thinks they might be in line for another trophy. Spain is “surprisingly” his favourite.Which he “didn't expect.”
“I thought they would play the same way, tiki-taka without scoring any goals. But now with… Yamal and Neko Williams on the left flank, they have very dangerous weapons On the wings.”
“They are playing more directly and still keeping the ball. The quality of expression was very good from Spain. For me, Spain has impressed me the most this season so far.“.
The European summer heat doesn't let up, and neither does football, however Emmanuel Petit is always happy to talk about it. No sweat.
