Adrien Rabiot dismisses Lamine Yamal threat as France vow to stop Spain, not one player

Adrien Rabiot has insisted France will not prepare a special defensive plan for Lamine Yamal ahead of their World Cup semi-final showdown with Spain, declaring that Les Bleus are focused on stopping the entire team rather than targeting one individual.

The two European giants meet with a place in the final at stake, and much of the pre-match attention has centred on Yamal’s influence after the teenager emerged as one of Spain’s biggest attacking threats.

However, Rabiot believes France’s biggest challenge is dealing with Spain’s collective strength, rather than finding a way to neutralise their teenage sensation.

When asked whether France had prepared a specific strategy to stop Yamal, the midfielder said: “No, there is no anti-Yamal plan. We are focusing on Spain as a whole, not on a single player.”

He added: “We know they are a dangerous team in every area of the pitch: in possession, in tight spaces near the box, in their combination play, and with their forwards. We need to focus above all on limiting their system, not just one player.”

‘We fear no one’ – Rabiot backs France’s preparation

France enter the semi-final full of confidence after navigating a difficult tournament path, and Rabiot believes the team is arriving at the decisive stage in the best possible condition.

The experienced midfielder acknowledged the importance of the occasion but insisted the squad remains grounded as they chase another major international final.

“We are focused and will prepare for the match in the best possible way,” Rabiot said.

“We are confident about the journey we’ve had so far, and it’s right to feel that way, but always with the humility that has set us apart since the start of the competition. Now there’s a place in the final at stake and we hope to go all the way.”

Despite Spain’s impressive performances throughout the tournament, Rabiot insisted France are not intimidated by their opponents.

“We fear no one,” he said. “Considering the path we’ve taken, I think we come into this semi-final in the best possible shape. It would have been hard to arrive better prepared than this. The pitch will decide, but we’ve done everything we could to be ready.”

Unity driving France’s title ambitions

Beyond their tactical preparation, Rabiot highlighted the strong bond within the France squad as a key factor behind their progress.

The midfielder believes the team’s chemistry, both on and off the pitch, has helped them overcome difficult moments and maintain their focus during the tournament.

“You can feel a real sense of unity. It’s hard to explain why a certain chemistry develops, but off the pitch we get along very well together and I think that’s one of the main reasons for our success,” he explained.

Rabiot also pointed to the emotional motivation surrounding head coach Didier Deschamps’ final tournament in charge of France as another source of inspiration.

“There have also been some tough moments for the coach that have brought us even closer,” he said.

“We also know that this will be his last tournament with the French national team, and that gives us extra motivation. All these factors make us feel that this is the right moment.”

Players taking responsibility inside camp

Rabiot also revealed that communication among the players has been crucial to France’s progress, with the squad taking greater responsibility during the tournament.

The midfielder explained that players frequently analyse performances together and share ideas away from official training sessions.

“Very. We’ve always tried to take responsibility. We communicate a lot, we talk often among ourselves, and during downtime at the hotel, we also analyse matches in small groups,” he said.

“The staff’s contribution is fundamental, but there are also feelings that only we players can sense on the pitch.”

As France prepare for a high-pressure encounter against Spain, Rabiot believes their shared mentality could prove decisive.

“Since the start of the tournament, we feel like we speak the same language, have the same desire and the same goal. We’re all pushing in the same direction and you can see that energy during the matches.”