The Blues have not met for more than nine months and we imagine that they have things to talk about. The 23 players selected by Didier Deschamps to start the League of Nations in Sweden and against Croatia will meet this Monday afternoon at Clairefontaine and live in isolation with the supervision of the France team until the departure for Stockholm scheduled for Friday and more generally until September 8, date of the reception of the Croats. To limit, as much as possible, the risks of contamination, the French staff relied in particular on the return to play protocol decreed by UEFA.
“We will make sure to minimize the risks, it will impact us in relation to our meeting at Clairefontaine, warns Didier Deschamps. We will have to adapt with a trip, two close matches, a strict health protocol that we will respect. The players have been used to doing this in their clubs for a long time. “
A millimeter protocol
Wednesday will be decisive. That day, the European body which organizes the League of Nations will appoint a doctor in the wealthy area of Yvelines. He will be responsible for testing the entire delegation, with results expected on the eve of the flight to the Swedish capital. Already, the 23 players of the France team, but also the 20 members of the staff had to present a negative test before their arrival and fill out a Covid questionnaire. This screening forced Houssem Aouar and Paul Pogba to give up. Some members of the Blues management, who usually intervene occasionally, are also permanently integrated into the group, which must have no contact with the outside.
The meals give a good idea of the organization imposed to limit the risks. Usually served in the Roger-Lemerre lounge, this time they will be taken in the Aimé Jacquet lounge to benefit from more space and will take the form of a buffet installed before the arrival of the first player and cleared after the departure of the last. Les Tricolores already have individual rooms at the castle. This time, they will be invited to dress in them and use their own shower after training, without going to the locker room. All activities likely to create interactions with the outside have been suppressed, in particular those dedicated to the media or those which should allow the Blues to promote the new jerseys that will be inaugurated during the fortnight.
Privatized floors
Beyond the tests on D-3 of the match, UEFA gives precise instructions for the organization of travel. The Blues have completely privatized the floors of the hotel where they will reside in Sweden, with a marked route so as not to cross any other customer. The organization and security services of the world champions have also set up support directly on the tarmac at the Scandinavian airport. The fear of the France team is that a contagion is spreading in the delegation and imposes to restrict the group.
Incidentally, the Blues will also try to start well in the League of Nations. “The selection was dormant for nine months, we have to put the machine back on the road in a particular context, breathes Didier Deschamps. I have never experienced games behind closed doors as a player or coach, the players yes. It will be necessary to adapt to current circumstances. ”Small consolation to kill time, the game consoles or the cards which animate the evenings at Clairefontaine are well authorized in the luggage.
