France face Morocco in Boston on Thursday for a place in the semi-finals
Didier Deschamps discussed his attackers and his players' physical condition in the pre-match press conference
The France coach is asking for "100 per cent efficiency”
If there is one aspect of ’s game that has been universally praised since the start of the , it is their attacking play. With 14 goals in five outings – an average of almost three per match – Les Bleus are shining brightly in North America. The performances of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele – both in the running for the – along with Michael Olise, the tournament’s, will be doubtless be receiving much scrutiny from rival coaches.
Yet coach Didier Deschamps believes there is still room for improvement from his forward line. That, at least, was his message on Wednesday at the pre-match press conference ahead of the .
“We’re very efficient, but we could have been even more so,” said the France coach, who has at times lamented the chances his squad have failed to convert. “The further we go in the competition, the more important that becomes. To have 100 per cent efficiency – that would certainly be ideal.”
These comments may come as a surprise given the impressive numbers posted by his strikers but they sum up perfectly the high standards Deschamps has maintained – and managed to instil in his players – during his 14 years at the helm of Les Bleus. Now, France’s longest-serving coach has, at best, three matches of his tenure left. When asked by a Moroccan journalist about the end of his reign, which could potentially come as early as Thursday evening, Deschamps responded with a touch of irony.
“It’s nice of you to think about that because I’m not thinking about it at all," he said. "The match against Paraguay could have been my last as well. I’m focused on this Moroccan team and, together with my coaching staff, our aim is to do everything we can to make sure things go well.” Translation: win and reach the semi-finals.
To do so against a dangerous Morocco, the 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up can certainly count on players who appear remarkably fresh for this stage of the season. They cover plenty of ground and recover quickly and effectively, thanks to programmes tailored to each individual’s needs and carefully put together by fitness coach Cyril Moine, of whom Deschamps speaks very highly.
So far, this energy has enabled France to get through their knockout matches without the need for extra time, unlike some of the other remaining contenders. Morocco, for instance, drew 1-1 with the Netherlands before prevailing 3-2 on penalties, while Argentina required extra time to see off Cabo Verde in a 3-2 victory.
“In a competition like this, it’s important to be in good physical shape. The data we collect after our matches is good, very good even,” said the former Marseille coach. “We didn’t have much time to prepare before the World Cup and even less so with those involved in the Champions League. So I tailor each training session to the physical condition of each player and I don’t mind at all if someone misses one or two sessions if it means he’s in better shape by the third day.”
Under Deschamps’ steady hand, France will need their if they are to prevail on Thursday and advance to the semi-finals for the eighth time. They will be hoping to replicate their semi-final performance in Qatar four years ago when they beat Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals. Indeed, Les Bleus are unbeaten in six previous meetings with the Atlas Lions and will start as favourites, though Deschamps knows such records offer no guarantees in knockout football.
“The higher you climb the mountain, the greater the challenge becomes,” he said. “Morocco aren’t here by accident. They’re among the very best teams in this tournament. It will be a clash between two nations who want the ball, look to attack and score goals.”
Sources: FIFA Official
