France slump to friendly defeat in Albania

AFP, ELBASAN (ALBANIA): Lacklustre France suffered another disappointing friendly defeat on Saturday as the Euro 2016 hosts went down 1-0 to Albania in the city of Elbasan, prompting an angry response from veteran defender Patrice Evra.
A first-half free-kick by Ergys Kace gave Albania victory over the side they previously held to a 1-1 draw in Rennes back in November, as France lost for the second time in a week after losing 4-3 at home to Belgium last Sunday.
It is the first time that France have suffered back-to-back defeats since losing to Brazil and Uruguay on a tour of South America in June 2013 and full-back Evra did not hold back in his assessment of the performance.
“We represent a country. You can mess up a pass or a touch but you can’t lack desire. We got into the habit of working hard at the World Cup, we showed a good side to the French people, desire and respect for the shirt, and we have lost all that in recent matches,” said the Juventus defender.
Evra added: “We must not hide, we must accept the criticism because it is deserved.”

France slump to friendly defeat in Albania

AFP, ELBASAN (ALBANIA): Lacklustre France suffered another disappointing friendly defeat on Saturday as the Euro 2016 hosts went down 1-0 to Albania in the city of Elbasan, prompting an angry response from veteran defender Patrice Evra. A first-half free-kick by Ergys Kace gave Albania victory over the side they previously held to a 1-1 draw in Rennes back in November, as France lost for the second time in a week after losing 4-3 at home to Belgium last Sunday. It is the first time that France have suffered back-to-back defeats since losing to Brazil and Uruguay on a tour of South America in June 2013 and full-back Evra did not hold back in his assessment of the performance. We represent a country. You can mess up a pass or a touch but you cant lack desire. We got into the habit of working hard at the World Cup, we showed a good side to the French people, desire and respect for the shirt, and we have lost all that in recent matches, said the Juventus defender. Evra added: We must not hide, we must accept the criticism because it is deserved.