“We know what to do to overtake Italy in the standings, and that’s our goal.” With these words, Didier Deschamps inspires his team ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Azzurri, set to take place at the prestigious San Siro Stadium.
Despite France’s current struggles, the coach remains confident. The recent draw against Israel has sparked criticism, but Deschamps attributes the issues solely to poor finishing. “It was frustrating not to score,” he stated during a press conference.
The French coach emphasized that, despite the disappointing result, the team created many chances. “We faced a strong goalkeeper, while we were not precise enough. Still, we are ranked second in FIFA rankings and played a Nations League with many young and inexperienced players. This might affect results, but the team remains alive and competitive.”
For the match against Italy, Deschamps announced changes in the lineup: “Tomorrow, there will be changes because I need to see more players with minutes under their belt.”
Despite the criticism, Deschamps does not believe his time leading France is coming to an end. “I still have the same energy and strive to keep France at the same level. Criticism is part of football, just like praise, but it won’t change what I believe is necessary to make the team competitive.”
Finally, the French coach stressed the importance of continuous growth and learning, even from the most experienced managers. “I think of Ranieri, who will coach Roma at 73. You’re always growing, even by talking to the players.”
