Pablo Pagis discovers France squad and praises their execution speed at Clairefontaine

Pablo Pagis took his first steps at Clairefontaine on Monday wearing the France shirt, called up for the second gathering of the Zinédine Zidane era. The 23-year-old striker, who plays for Paris FC, joined the France squad alongside Saël Kumbedi, who was also called in as reinforcement to cover for Pierre Kalulu’s absence.

Questioned after the first session open to the public, the former FC Lorient player said he was struck by the technical intensity of the group. “The balls move very fast, there’s very little waste, it’s pleasant to play with these players and this quality,” he said. An demand that did not intimidate him: “There’s already plenty of talent, I’m coming to add to that list by staying very humble and trying to play my football. That’s how I’ll get the best out of myself.”

Pagis was also won over by the atmosphere in the dressing room. “It’s a very good group, very straightforward, who don’t take themselves too seriously, who laugh together. That’s what struck me,” he stressed, before tempering his conclusions: “I’ve only been here for less than four hours, so it’s still all fresh, I’m going to learn daily alongside these players.”

France, leaders of their Ligue des Nations group with three wins and a draw, face Italy on Thursday in Milan before hosting Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux.