French national team midfielder Kouadio Koné held a press conference with media ahead of the match against Italy, discussing Zinedine Zidane's coaching style, his position on the pitch, and the team's preparations. This is the third part of the press conference.

Other parts of the press conference

Koné: Zidane's management style is very human; he values personal connection with players

Koné: Happy to see Dani da Cunha reach this level; we have healthy competition

Against Belgium, we saw a very distinct style—the team's play changed, with more direct attacks and lots of wide passes. How did the team manage to understand and execute these principles so quickly? We know it's not always easy with a national team. Was there a lot of tactical training? Were there specific things you focused on? Because we really did see something distinctly different from before.

As the coach said, first of all, we don't have much time for training. But he's proud of us because in the limited time available, we've already shown what he wants. So I think he's very proud of us, and he's already told us that.

In his eyes, we're all excellent players. So he feels we're able to adapt quickly to his demands.

I think we saw that against Belgium. Same against Turkey, even though the pitch conditions for that match were a bit difficult. But in any case, I think he's very proud of us, just as he told us after the match. He also hopes we can continue to do these things in the upcoming matches.

This week's preparation for Italy started with a day off. Koné, how did you spend that day? From the perspective of the whole squad, especially with the longer international break, is such time very important? There weren't similar rest days in the past, but they might appear more often now.

Honestly, it helps us a lot. I was with my family, visited my parents with my sister, and just relaxed. I was only with my family. In fact, this also helps us recover and adapt, making us feel better mentally. When we return to training, we'll have more energy and perhaps more vitality. But in any case, this arrangement makes us feel good, and we'll certainly appreciate it.

The World Cup could have been a springboard for your transfer, or even to try a new league. How did you approach this transfer window? Did you think you might leave after the World Cup, but ultimately stayed at Roma?

For me, things happened in the market. But now I'm at Roma, and I'll concentrate here; we have our objectives. So to me, what's passed is passed. Now I'm at Roma, I'm a Roma player, and I'll give 100% to this club.

I'll do my best to meet everyone's expectations. That's all.

We just spoke about the coaching staff; this is also a process of getting to know a new squad for everyone. Can you tell us more specifically about Davide Bettoni and Hamidou Msaïdi? What roles does each one have? What specific interactions do you have with them? And how do they interact with the players?

They're both very important in the coach's staff. Davide is the assistant coach, and Hamidou is also responsible for communication between us and others. He's also very close to the players. If we have any small issues, we can talk to Davide or Hamidou. Of course, it's not just them. But honestly, it's quite a complete staff, and we feel very comfortable here. We lack nothing; everything is good. Frankly, we're very well supported.

Continuing on the coaching staff theme, can you tell us about Fabien Barthez? What does he bring? Does he also create a good atmosphere in the squad?

Fabien Barthez is the goalkeeper coach, as everyone knows. But I already knew him when I was at Toulouse. He was part of the coaching staff then, responsible for goalkeeper training. So I'd already had contact with him.

When I saw him again, we talked about some old funny stories and laughed together. Now seeing him here, and here with me, especially for me, as he's told me, he can also see my growth over the years.

He's very natural and he lifts the atmosphere in the squad too. I think that's also what we need. However, he's very serious when he works and coaches the goalkeepers rigorously. As you can see, we've already had two clean sheets. I think he's doing a good job. Hopefully we can continue like this.

You've played several seasons in Italy. How has this league changed you and made you the player you are today?

You could say that when I arrived in Italy, I was younger. It will soon be my third season. This experience has also made my playing style more mature. I can say I've become more tactically aware because, tactically, I didn't have the understanding I have now.

I believe I've also improved in how I manage my energy. These are the things that have made me the player I am today. I'm truly grateful because I know I went through difficult moments at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Roma came for me at that time. So being here now, being able to play for this club, makes me very happy.

What kind of reception do you expect from French fans at the Stade de France on Friday?

We're back home. First of all, we hope there will be a great roar of support. I'm also from Paris, and I love the passionate atmosphere at the Stade de France. Most importantly, I hope we'll win the match, and I hope there will be a fantastic atmosphere, especially since this will be the coach's first home match with the squad here.

Also, we haven't played at the Stade de France in quite a while. So for me, this will be a pleasant match. I hope we'll also manage to secure a win in the end.

Following your answer about the fans: when you play for the French national team at home, does it really change your enthusiasm, your style of play, and the team's momentum on the pitch? After all, you won in Belgium and Turkey, and there were only three hundred French fans in the stadium then. For this match, there could be seventy thousand. Can you explain to us, who don't play on the pitch, what exactly changes for you?

From my personal perspective, before, I considered it more as just a football pitch, that's it. But actually, when we play at home, we can feel this "twelfth man." We know that French fans will help us a lot on the pitch too.

So we're very proud to have such fans. We know they'll give us tremendous support. Because in a match, when you're going through difficulties, you can also feel the passion of the fans. I think they'll support us, whether we're winning or going through difficult phases of the match. We'll also try to give them that joy in return.

I have another question about this week's training. After these two victories, what will the coach and squad focus on this week? I don't know if you discussed it yesterday, but what will be emphasized in training this week to make further progress for the match against Italy?

We haven't trained yet. We haven't trained yet; it starts this afternoon. But I think we'll continue with the same momentum, working hard all week to prepare for the next two matches.

I believe we just need to focus and listen to what the coach says. Actually, this time we'll face a different team, Italy, so the demands on us will be different too. But we'll follow the coach's instructions. We hope these measures will work, and they certainly will.

Tradotto dall'IA.

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