Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate shared his frustration as fitness issues kept him on the bench for France in Euro 2024
Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate revealed that he almost passed out trying to regain fitness for France in Euro 2024. France have used Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba over Konate in the Euro 2024 group stage, qualifying for the last 16.
They will potentially stick with the same midfield partnership when France faces Belgium in the last 16 despite their struggle. France won 1-0 against Austria and survived the loss against Netherlands due to a controversial referee call during the game.
Despite the immense quality in the French squad and the media hype surrounding Saliba, the French team has surprisingly struggled. They face the equally struggling Belgium side with hopes of qualifying into the next round without any more struggles.
Speaking about his struggle with fitness (via Liverpool Echo), Konate revealed that he lost consciousness while regaining fitness for France. He said:
“I came with a lot of expectations, that’s part of football. I knew what my place was before the first match. It’s frustrating but I know my role on and off the field. A 100 percent Ibou would never have sat on the bench. I didn’t play for a month and a half. But I prepared, I almost passed out more than once. The preparation was very short. It’s part of football. It was a good lesson for me.”
Konate has struggled with fitness throughout his Liverpool career which has kept him from establishing himself as a first-team regular. The 25-year-old has all the potential and ability to become one of the best defenders in the world.
The France international has just reached the peak stage of his career and needs to manage his fitness better. Last season, Konate struggled with inconsistency with nagging injuries playing a mitigating factor as Liverpool struggled with maintaining clean sheets.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp tried to manage the game time of Konate by rotating him with Jarell Quansah. New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could deploy similar man-management tactics to keep Konate fit and available.
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The Frenchman’s word shows his brilliant mindset as he takes every adversity as a learning curve to improve further. Konate has a key role to play for Liverpool in the coming seasons as their primary defender and captain Virgil van Dijk ages past his peak.
