Adrian Rabiot’s delayed warm-up before coming on for France against Belgium created tension within Zinedine Zidane’s coaching staff and prompted questions over the AC Milan midfielder’s place in the national team.
Rabiot, 31, was one of the key players in France’s midfield under Didier Deschamps and was included in the squad for Zidane’s first international break in charge. He started the matches against Turkey, which France won 1-0, and Italy, which ended 1-1.
However, he began the Belgium game on the bench before entering in the closing stages on Monday. Rabiot replaced Eduardo Camavinga in the 88th minute of the 4-1 victory.
According to RMC commentator Jean-Louis Tourre, the circumstances surrounding Rabiot’s introduction caused some unease among the France coaching staff.
“His warm-up was extremely slow. He was not even wearing his football boots, which surprised the France staff because they did not understand why he was taking so long to warm up,” Tourre said on RMC’s ‘After Foot’ programme.
Rabiot came on shortly before Michael Olise scored France’s third goal. He then played an important role in the move that produced the fourth, passing to Rayan Cherki on the right side of midfield before advancing to create space for him.
The former Lyon player later delivered an excellent cross to Desire Doue, who laid the ball back to Olise. Olise completed his second goal of the match to make it 4-1 in the 91st minute.
At the final whistle, Rabiot was the first player welcomed by Zidane on the touchline. His brief appearance, however, did not convince Daniel Riolo, another ‘After Foot’ commentator, who believes the 2022 World Cup runners-up no longer has a place in the France squad.
“We have to turn the page on Rabiot, put Da Cunha in midfield and keep Camavinga in this team,” Riolo said.
Riolo had already criticised Rabiot following Friday’s 1-1 draw with Italy, questioning what the midfielder contributed to France’s performance.
“In midfield, I do not see what he adds to the team. I want a player who is livelier and more capable of changing the pace of the game; I prefer Camavinga and Manu Kone,” he said.
Rabiot has therefore started two of France’s first matches under Zidane but was used only as a late substitute against Belgium, with his manner of preparing to enter the match adding to the scrutiny over his role in the new set-up.
