Jules Koundé on his gold chain against Poland: “I forgot to take it off.” | OneFootball

Speaking at France’s daily press conference this afternoon, defender Jules Koundé notably previewed Wednesday night’s semi-final clash against Morocco.

His words transcribed in RMC, the Barcelona man firstly paid tribute to his former Sevilla teammate Yassine Bounou, who he describes as a “very complete goalkeeper, very good on his line, with the ball at his feet, and on penalties”. On the Atlas Lions in general, he points out that “they deserve to be here” considering the performances they have put in and the teams Walid Regragui’s men have beaten.

Asked about the gold chain he wore for most of the first half against Poland, which Didier Deschamps had criticised him for, Koundé insisted that he had simply forgotten to take it off – “I realised it too late, that’s all.”

After highlighting the Moroccans’ defensive prowess, Koundé was also asked about whether he was looking to other goalscoring performances from French right-backs at the World Cup for inspiration – notably Lilian Thuram’s double in the 1998 semi-final against Croatia, or Benjamin Pavard’s strike against Argentina four years ago: