DOHA: France manager Didier Deschamps said his side showed strength to control the game against Morocco.
“It's a matter of strength, really. Today, our team was measured in everything we did from the first minute to the last. Argentina did the same against Croatia,” Deschamps told reporters after blanking Morocco 2-0 in the second semifinal at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night.
“But before that, neither of us took care of all the details. We don't have the intention of carefully planning everything. We didn't do that against England.”
“Today, against Morocco, towards the end of the first half, and at the beginning of the second, the opposing team were outstanding. But we also made some errors that could have been avoided.”
The French manager said he will personally talk to French President Emmanuel Macron after he asked the coach to stay in the role with the France team.
“It's always a huge honour when we get the results we wish for, the qualification. Of course, it was the last step to get to the final on Sunday.”
“I don't really think about myself in these times, even if I like it too, it's mainly for them. If I have something to say to the president, I will tell him personally. He came into the changing rooms earlier on.”
On a query about the reports of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema returning to the squad for the final, the coach offered no comments.
Benzema had been expected to miss all of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after suffering a thigh injury the day before the competition started. However reports in Spain now claim that the Real Madrid forward is match fit and could return to the squad, though the manager is yet to make a final decision.
On the fitness of Upamecano Dayot, Deschamps said the defender could not start in the eleven due to recovery from fever and muscular strain. Midfielder Adien Rabiot also missed the match due to fever.
“For the match, I chose Ibou Konate, because of what he showed us before. He has the skills to be at this level.”
The French coach said Rabiot and Kingsley Coman are all expected to be fully fit for Sunday.
“At any moment, they could be crucial. I remember one player who didn't play a second in some European Championships, but came back one night in a final and you know how that finished. So, all the better for Kolo and above all for the group,” the coach said in reference to goal-scorer Randal Kolo Muani.
On the key contribution of young and inexperienced midfielders
Youssouf Fofana and Aurelien Tchouameni in the semifinal, Deschamps said quality is what counts most.
“Yes. Well, experience doesn't count for much against quality and the demands they face at their clubs. Sure, they don't have much international experience. But potentially, they have everything.”
On a question about bringing in Marcus Thuram as a tactical substitution, the coach agreed partly.
“Partly, yes. Decisions are definitely tactical decisions. When you bring a player on, you change the positioning. Even though we could have given up some space on the left, we were also able to punish them. It's all about balance.
“We could have punished them in the first half. And in the second half, even though we didn't have the opportunity. So we brought on Marcus [Thuram], who has that ability, and can give us depth, and help Kylian Mbappe conserve energy and be dangerous there.
“Olivier played four days ago and he took a bit of a knock on his knee. So I decided to take him off and bring Marcus on. When he came on, Marcus gave us a lot on that left side with his ability and forced the Moroccan team onto the back foot.”
The coach said necessary measures were taken for adapting to every situation after a virus spread within some players.
“We're all susceptible to contracting the virus, but we've already taken measures with Dayot, avoiding any contact with him. And of course, he didn't play because he felt weak. The same goes for Rabiot.”
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