France beat Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. It was the last match of the Blues in this city. What feelings and memories come to mind?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. There were a lot of emotions, all that sport can provide when there is success. This would allow us to play the final of the European championship, in addition after a success against this great team from Germany. So that’s one of the very good memories.
Will Olivier Giroud start against Ivory Coast this Friday?
I said that Olivier would have playing time, that does not necessarily mean that he will start in both matches. I’m going to target as many players as possible in both games to see them in action. But Olivier will have playing time.
But is he ready to endorse a new status?
There is no new status (Editor’s note: for Giroud). I had a discussion with him. We talked briefly about today and what could follow. He is happy to be there. I’m just trying to be consistent
Did Kylian Mbappé’s wish not to participate in commercial operations with the sponsors of the FFF and to renegotiate the 2010 agreement have an impact on the life of the collective?
There was not the slightest impact on the state of mind and concentration during the training sessions. After that I would not say that there are no negotiations. I don’t have the ins and outs of this file, which does not concern me directly. Kylian will see it quietly with the president of the FFF afterwards (Editor’s note: the rally)
How do you view this Ivory Coast team which is not qualified for the next World Cup?
Côte d’Ivoire has always been one of the best African nations. You only have to look at the players individually, they are in the best European clubs. They are very high level competitors. Afterwards, I will not get involved in internal problems, and the non-qualification for the World Cup.
Paul Pogba spoke about the depression of athletes in an interview. Should it be part of a trainer’s background to know how to detect this type of pathology today?
As if we did not take care of it before? There are specialists in this area. Any athlete can have psychological problems that he can choose to solve himself or get help. But it is not a taboo. It is something that has always been present. This is the reality of high competition.
Will N’Golo Kanté be present for the match against Côte d’Ivoire?
N’Golo Kanté will be absent tomorrow, but he will join us for the second match (against South Africa in Lille next Tuesday). Presnel Kimpembe is better after his bronchitis and he will participate in the session this Thursday evening. As for Kylian Mbappé, he will not do the session because of an ENT infection. And we will take stock with the medical staff to find out if he will be available or not for the match.