Present at a press conference this Saturday afternoon, coach Didier Deschamps refuses to summon the ghosts of the lost final of the last Euro on the occasion of the reception of Portugal, this Sunday evening at the Stade de France (8:45 p.m.).
On the occasion of this France-Portugal, do you remember the lost final of the last Euro 2016?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. It’s a long way from all that, and we won’t be able to change anything so there is no need to remember this match. Still when it comes to positive memories, I don’t mind. Well done to them, they were European champions. It served us too, we know the story. It’s a reunion, even though there aren’t many players left on either side. There are 6 from us who were there in 2016, but it’s a great confrontation with two of the best European and even world teams. We can assess the strengths of the moment. Because we will meet again next month for the return match, and in June at Euro 2021.
You have 8 players from PSG, Rennes and Bayern Munich concerned by matches next Thursday and Friday with their respective clubs. Or the next day and 2 days after Croatia-France. Are you going to take that into account?
Tomorrow (Sunday) there is no problem, Wednesday we will see. If I have to take the schedule into account each time … I can do it depending, maybe. Unfortunately, I don’t know what will happen between Sunday and Wednesday. These days. We are going step by step. But we have important games to play, when I can I can, but we are also here to win our games. I make sure to distribute the playing time, but without taking into account the criteria after selection
To what extent has Lucas Hernandez returned to a satisfactory international level after the last two seasons polluted by serious injuries?
Lucas has had a complicated season but he has no more embarrassment. Granted, he didn’t have a lot of playing time during Final 8, but he’s freed from the little physical worries he had. He is a competitor, and we know his strength of character. He found a very good level.
Tuchel said Kimpembe has improved and he has this ability to be good now in small games. Do you also make that observation and is it getting closer and closer to being included in your departure?
It has already been (in the starting 11). Presnel has gained in concentration, therefore in control. I confirm what Tuchel says. He has been with us for a while. He hasn’t started every game, but that’s part of his evolution. This long-term focus is where he had room for improvement.
The diamond in the midfield, is it so that Mbappé is more in line?
It allows me to have a very interesting attacking triangle, with two forwards and another below. It puts them in the best possible conditions. But Kylian can also play on one side. I consider that in this arrangement we can be more dangerous, create more chances and score more goals.
If you use the diamond layout in midfield, can N’Golo Kanté be the sentry in front of the defense? You seemed to doubt it at one time …
It was Sarri when he was Chelsea coach who said that. I have used it very often like this. Of the two with Pogba, he is the one who is lower and who tends to protect his defense the best. Even if in his club, he is more used as a torchbearer.
For you, is Corentin Tolisso the natural successor of Blaise Matuidi?
He has done it before, in the quarterfinals of the World Cup when Blaise Matuidi was suspended. I think he has the profile to play in defense as well. With his long pass in particular. Corentin can play at 3 positions. But Rabiot is there too, Camavinga too. Places are expensive. There are a lot of qualities in midfield, and I’m not going to complain about it.
:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/R6U3MSP4NNGNTIVNFJQOGGGJIM.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
