On the eve of the round of 16 of the Euro against Switzerland, Didier Deschamps was on a press videoconference this Sunday from the Bucharest stadium, the National Arena. He wanted to salute France’s victory at Euro 1984 37 years ago to the day and the memory of Michel Hidalgo, the coach at the time. And evoked, while remaining obviously vague, the possibility of changing the system against the Swiss.
What do you think of Switzerland?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. I have a lot of respect for this Swiss team in all sincerity. She is ranked 13th in the Fifa rankings and it is not for nothing. It is very complete. Even if it had a difficult match against Italy (0-3), it remains a very beautiful European nation. My players don’t think it will be easy. All the teams are well prepared and there will be quality players in front of us.
What behavior will she adopt?
I don’t know exactly what she will do. It can come looking high, be a low block or a middle block. It adapts to the adversary. Will they be careful or will they come and get us? We want to create problems for them and win this game.
What is Paul Pogba’s real position on the pitch?
Paul is a complete midfielder. In his palette, he has the pass, diagonally or vertically. His movements are very good too. He has a fairly free role, he is not limited in his influence. It is him on the ground which is located but it depends on the movements of the others.
What is the news of the injured?
Lucas Hernandez will be available today. Not the others.
How do you make decisions about making tactical changes?
I see you coming up with this ambiguous question. Before each match, I analyze. There are two possibilities or choose and impose. But before deciding, I like to interact with the executives even if I speak with all the players. I want to put all the players in the best position to express themselves. I do not adapt to the opponent, I analyze his qualities and his faults. I want to be as dangerous as possible and in the end, I’m the one who makes the decisions.
Are you going to switch to a three-way defense?
It is an option that may or may not be taken. What I did in the fall was a different option. The choice I make is to be the most dangerous for the opponent.
Can Hernandez be left piston in a three-way defense?
I will not answer. These are not questions to ask myself. He can do it, he can play in the middle. There are different profiles used.
N’Golo Kanté is it a happiness for a coach in a group?
It is especially in relation to what he does on the ground. His humility and character would be of no use if he was not good on the pitch. He deserves his recognition. For a coach, that’s holy bread. It’s a privilege for me to have it. The first chosen in training is N’Golo when the players make the teams. It is a driving force. It is essential for the team. We don’t hear him much by voice but he is there.
