Aurélien Tchouaméni denies France squad feels better without Karim Benzema | OneFootball

Speaking to RMC Sport in the wake of France’s win over Denmark last night, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni notably commented on reports from earlier in the day that the atmosphere around the squad was “freer and more relaxed” in the absence of Karim Benzema.

The Real Madrid striker had been called up by Didier Deschamps for the tournament but withdrew days before the opening group stage match after picking up an injury in his first full training session.

After L’Équipe indicated that those in the France squad were intimidated by Benzema’s personality, his Real Madrid teammate has denied that the team was feeling better now that the Ballon d’Or winner was gone.

Tchouaméni rubbished the reports was “completely false”, and that “even when he was here things were going really well”.

France’s win means they are the first team to qualify for the knockout rounds, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a double to take his tally for the tournament to three.