Didier Deschamps Jokes After Man of the Match Display Against Holland

• Didier Deschamps has praised midfielder N’Golo Kante after starring for France against the Netherlands
• The Al-Ittihad midfield produced a Man of the Match performance in the goalless draw on Friday night
• France will next face Poland with hopes of finishing top of Group D next week at the Signal Iduna Park

France coach Didier Deschamps has extolled the qualities of midfielder N’Golo Kante after another Man of the Match performance at the European Championship in Germany.

The Saudi-based midfielder produced a solid display as France were held to a goalless draw in Group D’s second game against the Netherlands.

Kante, who also shone in the opener against Austria, nearly created the match-winner after sending in an exquisite pass to Antoine Griezmann late in the game. The Atletico Madrid star failed the convert.

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Deschamps expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Al-Ittihad midfielder, claiming he adds more to the team.

“N’Golo is still out there running I think,” he joked during the post-match presser, as quoted by the BBC.

“But it is not all he does, He is able to really project us up the field [and it] is important with the rest of our midfield we have that variety and we are not that predictable for our opponent.”

Kante was named Man of the Match for the second consecutive game at the tournament in only his second competitive game since missing the World Cup in Qatar.

“It is always important when you come back to play for your national team, especially in a competition as important as the Euros,” said Kante.

“I wanted to give my all in these games.”

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France will next face Poland with hopes of finishing top of Group D on June 25, per UEFA.

Deschamps explains Kylian Mbappe’s absence

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that France coach Didier Deschamps disclosed that it was safer to keep Kylian Mbappe on the bench for the game against the Netherlands on Friday night.

The France captain suffered a broken nose in the opening Group D game against Austria and was expected to wear a protective mask for the game against the Dutch.

Despite training throughout the week and being declared ready for the match, Deschamps decided to keep his captain on the bench as France shared the spoils with Holland.