Kylian Mbappe Praises France’s Defensive Grit Following Hard-Fought Victory

Kylian Mbappe has praised the French national team’s willingness to "get their hands dirty," emphasizing a collective shift toward defensive pragmatism to secure critical results. The captain’s comments follow a narrow victory where the squad was forced to prioritize physical resilience over their trademark offensive flair. \n\n Speaking to reporters, Mbappe noted that the current French lineup is fully committed to a high-work-rate system. The match saw France secure a clean sheet despite sustained pressure, a performance the striker described as essential for tournament progression. "We are happy to do the hard work and get our hands dirty if it means winning," Mbappe stated, highlighting a squad-wide consensus on tactical discipline. \n\n Pragmatism Over Style \n\n Under manager Didier Deschamps, France has increasingly relied on a compact defensive block and clinical counter-attacks. While critics have occasionally targeted the team's conservative approach, Mbappe defended the strategy as the most effective path to international silverware. The captain, who recently secured a move to Real Madrid, stressed that the team’s identity is built on a foundation of defensive…