PARIS • The last time both sides met in a competitive match, France put on a performance full of attacking verve to run out 5-2 winners over Iceland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
They have since gone on to lift the World Cup and, while many are expecting the national team to make light work of Group H to qualify for Euro 2020, Didier Deschamps is aware his players can sometimes be their worst enemy.
Ahead of their clash with Iceland at the Stade de France today, the Les Bleus coach said: "A lot depends on us. We have the quality, we all saw that (in the 4-1 qualifying win at Moldova)."
The former Juventus midfielder also backed Olivier Giroud to remain a pillar for the team.
The Chelsea striker has struggled for minutes this term, starting just six Premier League games under Maurizio Sarri, although he has starred in the Europa League with nine goals in as many matches.
Giroud netted three times in France's last six matches in all competitions and his strike last Friday saw him draw level with David Trezeguet as his country's third-highest scorer on 34 goals.
Admitting that the 32-year-old was "quite complementary with the other players", Deschamps told Sky Sports he would continue to lead the line as "his role is different and this allows our team to have a varied offensive play".
34
Goals Olivier Giroud has for France, making him their third-highest scorer, level with David Trezeguet.
He said: "His presence as a pivot is very useful. He scores goals. He does so too with his club."
The 50-year-old also revealed that despite France's heroics in Russia which saw them clinch their second World Cup last July, there were no fears over a lack of commitment to the cause.
Deschamps added: "I wasn't really worried because since the beginning of the week, I had told them what I wanted to tell them about the match through the sessions we had - there was a lot of dedication.
"The players know. The more experienced players I have like that, then the rest of the group follows.
"It seems normal and logical, but I do appreciate the quality and the mindset we have."
France will likely be without Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman for the Iceland game after he suffered a thigh injury in the warm-up for the Moldova opener.
Telling French TV station RMC Sport he was "not here to take chances", Deschamps said: "I have no problem using Blaise (Matuidi), who did not disrupt the collective (as his replacement)."
Lucas Digne will also be another absentee in Paris after the Everton full-back pulled out of the squad yesterday owing to injury.
Ten-man Real Madrid suffered their seventh La Liga defeat of the season as they fell 2-1 at home to Girona , with Sergio Ramos breaking the Spanish record for red cards with his late dismissal
La Liga: Atletico Madrid win again to keep pressure on
Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals. Having secured a last-eight spot in the Champions League to go with their League Cup title, City made a strong start as they looked to continue their quest to
Man City Come From Two Goals Down To Reach FA Cup Last Four
Banks was best known for the stunning one-handed save from a Pele bullet header that bounced awkwardly in front of him during England's group-stage game against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Players and fans pay tribute as England World Cup-winning
You know, I think Barca will be fine. 29 April 2013. By Nicol Hay. Football fans have a curious love for certainties - knowing that this player was definitely better than that one, that one club is clearly bigger than the other - that seems to be a product of the untidy nature of the game itself.
AC Milan Online v4.0 | The Archive
The Reds projected lineup for 2019. (Yahoo Sports) Who will be the Reds' fantasy breakout? Cincinnati's outfield is awfully cluttered following the team's offseason deal with the Dodgers, a
Cincinnati Reds to add minor-league team in Appalachian League
The International Champions Cup 2019 Singapore - Juventus - Tottenham Hotspur match will be in or nearby Singapore. Even when tickets to a game is sold out, SingaTickets can be used to determine which reliable ticket providers still have International Champions Cup Singapore tickets for sale.
Tottenham Hotspur date for Singapore - Latest News
Footballer Emiliano Sala's family grieved on Friday after British authorities formally identified his body as the one recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the Channel more than two weeks ago.
Family mourn Sala after body in Channel wreckage identified
Curt Casali hit a three-run homer off Patrick Corbin, who had one of the worst starts of his career, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Washington 9-3 Friday night to end the Nationals' streak of eight
Cincinnati Reds - Page 2 - Empire Attack Forums
empireforums.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=3139&start=20
neal wrote:i saw that wreck on sportscenter, gnarly. the bills will be 3rd in their division at best, depending on whether the dolphins keep ronnie and ricky. the lions made leaps and bounds last year in the nfc north, and have a scary d line but 0 corners, so green bay and chicago will attack with 5 yard routes. this is all assuming there will be footballoh and the vikings will be a roller
Official Cincinnati Reds Website | MLB.com
Football: Aston Villa into playoff final after shootout win over West Brom Aston Villa's Jack Grealish (left) and John McGinn celebrate after winning the penalty shootout against West Bromwich on
Villa into playoff final after shootout win over West Brom
Antonio Conte has been named Inter Milan manager, replacing the sacked Luciano Spalletti. The 49-year-old returns to work in Italy after being dismissed by Chelsea at the end of last season. He
Antonio Conte named as new Inter Milan manager | Sports News
Home » Sport » Champions League: What Fabinho said about Messi after Liverpool's 4-0 win over Barcelona. Champions League final: Barcelona react to Liverpool's 2-0 win over Tottenham.
What Luis Suarez said about Liverpool's incredible win over
BRIGHTON (REUTERS) - Arsenal manager Unai Emery was fined 8,000 pounds (S$13,899) on Monday (Dec 31) but avoided a touchline ban for kicking a plastic bottle at a Brighton and Hove Albion
Tottenham moved back into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 win at lowly Cardiff City. Spurs back up to second after win at Cardiff.
Spurs back up to second after 3-0 win at Cardiff - Football
Football: Liverpool's TV income may top record £250 million
Gareth Bale finally found the net for Real Madrid, ending his goal drought and leading his team to an easy victory over Huesca on the road at Estadio El Alcoraz. Real Madrid's Santiago Solari insists the tough playing conditions were down to his side's poor performance in
Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari won't 'give up' as Dani
0 comments:
Post a Comment