By Karolos Grohmann
MOSCOW (Reuters) – France are determined not to make the same mistakes they made two years ago in losing the Euro 2016 final when they face Croatia for football’s biggest prize, midfielder Paul Pogba said on Thursday.
France will face the Croatians in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday but they are rejecting the favourites tag that cost them dearly two years ago, he said.
The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final and will face then-underdogs Portugal in Paris, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.
“We are aware of the situation, we don’t want to make the same mistakes as two years ago. We want to work for it, give everything to take this Cup home,” Pogba told reporters.
“I think that at the Euros we already thought that it was a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now. I can’t lie, when we beat Germany we thought it was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.”
“We thought we had won against Portugal before the match started. That won’t happen again.”
France have improved throughout the tournament and have beaten Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without the need for extra time or penalties.
Croatia needed penalties to advance against Denmark in the round of 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals. On Wednesday, they overturned a goal down against England and won 2-1 after extra time.
According to Pogba, that is not a sign of a team in trouble, but one that has a lot of talent.
“The Croatians had a very difficult game and were behind, but mentally they are very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and 90 minutes left.
“We are not the favourites. We are staying where we are from the beginning of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that is our strength. We are chasing something and we will do everything possible to achieve it.”
France, world champions in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semi-finals, are playing in their third World Cup final. However, for Croatia it is uncharted territory.
“Croatians definitely want the star (for winning the title), they’ve had a good run. They want to win. But I don’t have a star either, although I have one on my shirt. I want mine.”
Pogba said that while Croatian midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force, the French plan would not be limited to stopping the Real Madrid playmaker.
“The Croatians are not just Modric. They have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic,” said Pogba.
“Even their defenders are extraordinary players. I don’t think there is a plan just for Modric. The plan is to win the match.”
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Toby Davis)
