France defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa admits to finding international football "tough"

France centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has admitted that he has found early life in the international fold "tough".

Yanga-Mbiwa started France's opening World Cup qualifier against Finland on Friday, and kept a clean sheet alongside Mamadou Sakho in a 1-0 win.

The Montpellier defender told RMC Sport: "It was tough. The opponent was smart and aggressive. I have experienced this level now, but the worst is yet to come.

"This was [mine and Mamadou Sakho's] second match and we tried to work better together. We communicated and gave a lot of information, we agree on and off the field."

The 23-year-old was the subject of intense transfer speculation in the close season after being a major part of Montpellier's title success, with AC Milan and Manchester City thought to be monitoring his progress.