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Tag: Didier Deschamps

  • France boss Deschamps defends ‘misunderstood’ Pogba

    France manager Didier Deschamps believes Paul Pogba’s strained relationship with the media is due to the “unfair criticism” he has received in the past.

    Deschamps said the misunderstood Manchester United midfielder had learned to cope with it.

    Pogba played an important role as France won the World Cup in Russia this year.

    The 25-year-old has however been criticised by the media for not consistently exerting his influence at United amid talk of a rift with manager Jose Mourinho last season.

    “I have spoken to him about his relationship with the media and I think he is been unfairly criticised in the past.

    “That is why there has been this aggressive vibe and he had this strained relationship,” Deschamps told the British media.

    “But criticism is part of the job and I think you learn to take that on board as you get more experienced.

    “That is what happened with him and I think he has gained some respect.”

    Deschamps said the outside world had an incorrect perception of United’s record signing.

    Read Also: ‘We can limit outstanding Messi’, says France coach Deschamps

    “The rest of the world, and certainly in France, has an image of Pogba that doesn’t really reflect who he is.

    “There’s this idea that he’s a bit individualistic, that’s not the case,” former France international Deschamps added.

    “He joined us ready to become a world champion and he took the whole squad with him.”

    Meanwhile, Pogba said United had to attack more when playing at Old Trafford, following their disappointing 1-1 draw against promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

    “We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack,” Pogba said.

    “When we play like that, it’s easier for us. I think teams are scared when they see united attacking. That was our mistake.

    “Maybe the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford.

    “We should just attack and press like we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season.”

    United host Derby County in the League Cup third round on Tuesday before travelling to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

  • France hopes for good home show against Dutch

    France manager Didier Deschamps believes they need to sharpen up when they play the Netherlands on Sunday in their first home match since winning the World Cup in July following their goalless draw away to Germany.

    The French seemed to be nursing a post-victory hangover when they faced Germany in Munich on Thursday in their first outing since the final, creating only a few chances in the Nations League game compared to their opponents’ half dozen.

    The Germans were eager for redemption after their shock World Cup group stage exit while France at times looked content with a draw.

    “We can do it better. “We are returning home (for Sunday’s game in Paris) but we need to be more efficient.

    “We ran out of steam towards the end and obviously the entire squad is not yet at the peak of their form. Not at this time of the season,” Deschamps said.

    France’s passing was far from accurate and they seemed to lack pace, with forwards Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, who were so dynamic at the World Cup in Russia, posing no real threat for most of the game.

    Read Also: LaLiga leads the way as France top the world

    It was unlikely, however, that France would instantly pick up where they left off in July, with their players having had limited pre-season preparation following their lengthy World Cup campaign.

    Deschamps’ team can expect days of festivities when they return to Paris but the players will know they need to pick up three points from their next Nations League match as well as put on a show for the French fans.

    “It will be a great feeling because it will be our first match in France since we won the title.

    “But we know we have to get the three points against the Dutch to stay in contention in the Nations League,” Giroud said.

    The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in international football.

    It also features all 55 of Europe’s national teams divided into four divisions split into four groups, with games played between September and November.

  • We can limit ‘outstanding’ Messi – France coach

    France have a number of options to limit Lionel Messi’s influence in their round of 16 clash against Argentina coach Didier Deschamps said on Friday.

    However, the French coach also resigned that he could turn the match in an instant.

    Messi has yet to light up the World Cup in a stuttering Argentina side.

    But his clinical strike in the 2-1 win over Nigeria underlined the danger the Barcelona forward will present Deschamp’s side at the Kazan Arena on Saturday.

    “Messi is Messi, look at his statistics, 65 goals in 127 matches,” Deschamps told reporters at the stadium.

    “It’s straightforward, hopefully we would like to neutralise him, but we know very well he can make the difference with very little.

    “When you play Argentina and Messi on the pitch there are several solutions to limit his impact.”

    France will look to boss the midfield in a bid to limit supply to the lethal 31-year-old, who has struggled to impose himself in the tournament.

    He will also hope their defence can continue to hold firm after conceding only one goal in the group phase.

    Deschamps said full back Benjamin Mendy had been ruled out with a “small muscle injury”.

    The Manchester City defender returned as a second half substitute in the 0-0 draw against Denmark after missing the opening games against Australia and France.

    France may face more queries up forward, however, where their array of attacking talents have yet to dominate.

    Striker Antoine Griezmann is under pressure to perform after being off the pace in the dull Denmark draw, and he has only got on the scoresheet with a penalty in the opening 2-1 win over Australia.

    Captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris backed Griezmann to make his mark at the tournament.

    “It is normal that there are expectations around Antoine,” said Lloris.

    “He’s one of the top players, he’s done a major Euro competition and feels like being one of the great players of this World Cup.”

    Although sailing through the group phase, the scoreless draw against Denmark raised concerns about Les Bleus’ momentum heading into the Argentina blockbuster.

    Lloris said his team was only looking ahead, however.

    “As we said, this is a new tournament that begins, and I think we have to depend on our collective strength, on a defensive solidity and we know our attacking potential,” Lloris added.

    “We have a lot of young but talented players who can make a difference at any moment of the game.”

  • Kante ruled out of France’s final qualifier

    Kante ruled out of France’s final qualifier

    Chelsea midfielder N‘Golo Kante has been ruled out of France’s final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at home to Belarus on Tuesday due to a muscle injury.

    National team coach Didier Deschamps disclosed this after Kante limped off shortly after half an hour and was replaced by Adrien Rabiot during France’s 1-0 away win over Bulgaria on Saturday.

    The 1998 champions have now moved within touching distance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

    “I can’t count on him for the next game. It’s a muscular problem behind the thigh,“ Deschamps said. ”Kante and Rabiot pretty much swapped. It is fixed for Tuesday.

    “N‘Golo had a crucial part to play, obviously. After N‘Golo’s injury, Adrien Rabiot came on in the same role, maybe not with the same quality as N‘Golo.”

    Les Bleus lead Group A with 20 points, one ahead of Sweden, and will qualify directly for the World Cup if they beat Belarus.

    NAN

  • Cantona slams Deschamps: He is an accountant, not a visionary

    Cantona slams Deschamps: He is an accountant, not a visionary

     

    Former France international Eric Cantona feels Didier Deschamps is not the right person to coach the national team due to his inability to find a formation where all his best players can shine at once.

    Les Bleus are in danger of missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia following their recent defeat at the hands of Sweden.

    And Cantona believes Deschamps is the one to blame for their precarious situation, calling on Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to take his place.

    “The quantity of talent and potential France have is just insane,” Cantona told Eurosport.

    “But why is all this talent not on the pitch when it really matters? It is mind-boggling.

    “A great coach is being judged on his ability to find a tactical system where his best players can all express themselves at the same time.

    “That will not happen when you are being coached by an accountant rather than a visionary.

    “Zizou, Zizou, please return. Your country needs you.”

    France sit second in Group A with 13 points from six games, level on points with leaders Sweden and three points clear of third-placed Netherlands.