French media reacts to Ibrahima Konate display vs Israel after Liverpool man made mistake

Ibrahima Konate started at center-back for France in their Nations League game against Israel, but .

Beginning the season in fine from under Arne Slot, was rewarded with a start in the heart of defense by Didier Deschamps ahead of William Saliba and Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard. But the 25-year-old failed to provide an assuring presence at the back as he was given his chance in the star-studded team.

Starting alongside his former RB Leipzig team-mate, Daycot Upamecano – now of , their partnership was almost broken when Konate was caught out by Israel defender Raz Shlomo in the first half.

A well-orchestrated free-kick routine by the visitors saw an initial header won at the near post and flicked into the six-yard box. Shlomo broke free of Konate’s pressure with a simple drop of the shoulder as the Reds defender was left ball watching. The Maccabi Tel Aviv defender reached the ball unmarked but miscued his shot, slicing his effort wide from six-yards out.

Shlomo immediately reacted by putting his hands on his head in disbelief at the opportunity he squandered, as did a number of his Israeli team-mates. While Konate stood thanking his luck that Shlomo was not able to put the visitors ahead.

Konate was slammed by the French media for his lucky escape, with RMC Sport giving Konate a 5.5/10 match rating. They explained the reason for the lowly rating was due to him switching off at the vital moment. “A small oversight that could have cost the Blues dearly,” the outlet wrote.

“In the 36th minute, he was beaten behind his back by Raz Shlomo, who fortunately missed his shot at close range after a beautiful Israeli combination on a free kick. Serious on the very rare Israeli incursions the rest of the match.”

Eurosport rated him 5/10 for his display, also hitting out at his mistake nearly costing France the game. However, they added that he was untroubled in the second-half with Israel’s only shot on target in the whole game coming from a tame long-range effort at the beginning of the second 45.

“Strong and vigilant, he cut trajectories at the start of the match by showing a lot of authority,” the report said. “But he forgot Schlomo [sic] behind him on the only hot situation for Israel (37th). The consequences could have been serious. He then managed a second period without incident.”

GFFN also noted the moment he was caught sleeping, but were harsher in their rating, giving him a poor 4/10. “Wasn't called into action often but he was the one that lost Shlomo in a set-piece situation in what was Israel's best chance of the game,” they stated.

France were denied an opener on 20 minutes when captain and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante was denied a rare goal by a smart save from Daniel Peretz down to this left. A scramble at the end of the half saw PSG starlet Bradley Barcola miss a golden chance as he was unable to make contact with the dropping ball just three yards out after former Liverpool target Marcus Thuram’s effort was blocked.

Warren Zaire-Emery later wasted the best chance of the second half to put France ahead with just 15 minutes to play. Randal Kolo Muani squared the ball across to his PSG team-mate eight yards out from goal, but under little pressure he was denied by another save from Peretz.

A stoppage time header from Thuram and a clean strike from Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku were also kept out by the Bayern Munich backup goalkeeper as France were unable to break the deadlock. The full-time whistle was greeted by boos inside the stadium as Israel picked up their first points of their Nations League campaign, seeing France falter in their bid to reach the semi-finals.