“I’m not going to call someone I’ve never called,” confides Deschamps on his list for the Euro

2023-11-23 02:25:29

The French team finishes the Euro 2024 qualifiers undefeated. It snatched a draw (2-2) in Greece this Tuesday evening but could have won at the end of the match on a strike from incoming Kylian Mbappé. Enough to satisfy Didier Deschamps, the coach invited afterwards to a press conference in the auditorium of the OPAP Arena.

Do you know why the goal-line technology was not working at the stadium when a blocked ball from Kingsley Coman appeared to have crossed the goal line?

DIDIER DESCHAMPS. I’m wondering. It’s surprising to say the least that there is no goal line. We are at a very, very high level. If we had to play our qualification in this match… I spoke with the referees. From the moment they estimate that at 99% there is a goal, it is not 100%. But it’s surprising. Afterwards, it was not the absence of VAR which caused us to concede two goals in five minutes.

Why didn’t Kylian Mbappé start the match?

This is part of the discussions I have with him and others to distribute playing time as best as possible. I make sure to protect the players who have a match on Friday as best as possible. We’ll be back at 5:30 in the morning. We will already be a few hours away from Friday’s meeting.

“The French team maintains itself at a very high level even if the players change. »

Didier Deschamps

What assessment do you draw from the year 2023?

There was a loss of senior players and there is a very good transition. We have a rejuvenated group, which has a competitive spirit, with a state of mind off the field. This makes me extremely happy before heading into the home stretch before the Euro. The French team maintains itself at a very high level even if the players change.

What did you think of Randal Kolo Muani’s performance on one side?

I am not going to draw an individual assessment. I know he’s not in his best position, but by shifting him a little, it makes him a little less responsible for scoring even if he scored a very good goal. He’s more of an axis player than a side player. He is more comfortable on the right but so is Ousmane (Dembélé). In the first half, he was mobile, worked, and this goal will do him good.

And Youssouf Fofana, who showed himself with talent?

They all had an interest in scoring points, there is very strong competition. I won’t be able to take them all. This internship was also important beyond the search to be seeded. A rehearsal was needed, with a distribution of playing time. Even if the changes go against cohesion.

How do you see the Euro draw on December 2?

I’ll wait and see. There are still uncertainties with Italy and Croatia undoubtedly in hat four. There may be groups stronger than others. We did everything to be seeded and then I’ll tell you when it comes out.

Are we wrong if we say that there are not many places left to take in the list of 23?

If everyone is available… I’m not going to be categorical but I’m not going to call anyone in March that I never called. We have a large number of answers about the players we selected.