Chelsea's Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kante react to shock France loss - 'It's a warning'

'Warning' | Colombia came from two goals down to beat France 3-2
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj24 March 2018

Chelsea duo Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kante admitted France were handed a huge warning on Friday following their shock loss to Colombia.

Giroud opened the scoring for Les Bleus in the friendly game in Paris before Thomas Lemar doubled the hosts' advantage in the 26th minute.

But despite leading 2-0 at the Stade de France, Didier Deschamps' men then conceded three goals to lose 3-2 at home to Colombia.

After the game, Kante admitted France had been handed a major warning about losing concentration as Giroud admitted the "slapping" will wake up the players before they take on Russia on Tuesday.

"We had a good first period with good routines and we could have scored more goals. But we did not know how to take shelter. And we conceded their first goal on a half-opportunity," Giroud told reporters.

"In the second half, we knew they were going to push, we were warned. But we weren't capable of competing with their aggression, or their determination. [They are the] values ​​dear to this sport. It will be necessary to analyse why. This kind of slapping can help us bounce back."

Kante added: "They pushed us.

"We were not able to get the ball back in the second half, not capable of getting out of their pressing. These are just preparation matches but you have to learn from this type of meeting.

"It's a warning. We saw good things but also worse things this evening. We have to go back and look ahead to Tuesday, in Russia."

Giroud's goal against Colombia came in the 11th minute, and means the Chelsea striker has now scored 30 goals in 70 France appearances.

That is level with Les Bleus legends Jean-Pierre Papin and Just Fontaine, and is one behind Zinedine Zidane's record of 31 goals in 70 appearances.

And Giroud added to Canal+ Sport: "It's very flattering and [fills me with] a lot of pride. For me it is always a privilege to wear this blue jersey.

"I always try to give the maximum on the pitch to help the team achieve our goals.

"I do not want to stop there and I especially want to continue to climb in the ranking [of goals scored] to help the team win games."

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