Didier Deschamps and part of his staff participated this Monday, in Düsseldorf, in the traditional workshops before major competitions, with a large majority of the coaches of the teams qualified for the German Euro (June 14-July 14). On the menu of discussions, in particular, the number of players potentially selected for the tournament.
Several selections are favorable, as during the last World Cup in Qatar, to a list of 26 players. Didier Deschamps, who had selected 26 elements in Doha (25 initially, plus Marcus Thuram a few days later), was never an absolute defender of this expanded list. The Blues coach believes that this can, in sessions, during oppositions, create legitimate frustrations among players not included.
Decision rendered in the coming days
Deschamps pleads, if this rule is validated, so that the 26 players can be registered on the match sheet (compared to 23 currently). Some nations have put forward middle solutions where the change of an injured player could be done during the competition (and no longer on the eve of the first match).
UEFA indicated that it would make its decision on this matter in the coming days. Furthermore, this workshop was an opportunity for the coaches to discuss the new rule decreed by the European body of a reduction to 45 minutes of the duration of the match eve session (compared to one hour until then ). A very unpopular measure among the coaches, including Didier Deschamps.
