Euro 2024. Didier Deschamps: “I’m not disappointed, not at all, sincerely”, “We’re going to switch to a new competition”

Deschamps was not frustrated after this match against Poland. MAXPPP – FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

The coach of the France team Didier Deschamps presented himself at a press conference after the Blues' draw against Poland (1-1), during the last day of the group stage of the ’ rsquo;Euro 2024, Tuesday June 25.

First place mission failed. What disappoints you the most?

I'm not disappointed, not at all, honestly. If only through this match, we had to go for first place, we did what we had to do. Who before me was ? The man of the match. You can sometimes lack precision and come across a great goalkeeper. We managed to lead, we conceded this penalty yes. We were in a very dense group. For those who were laughing at Austria, even though we beat them, they are first today and the Netherlands third. We are second but the objective has been achieved. We know when we will play. A new competition will begin. Yes, of course, if we score there is a greater chance of winning matches. We still have a lot of chances, five in the first half. It’s not a lack of precision, it’s goalkeeper saves.

There is a lot of waste: 20 shots, 7 on target, 11 corners which don't achieve much. How do you explain it?

You interpret it however you want. When I do my compositions, when you have six guys more than 1.90 m across from each other. To compete and be effective in this area, it is better to play on the ground and fast. This is why I chose to have three fast attackers who rely on speed and sequences on the ground. Obviously the more you frame, the better. Of the seven on target, there were some very good saves from the goalkeeper. This is the phase to improve, obviously. I'd be a lot more worried if we didn't have any opportunities.

Why not start Griezmann ? We saw you get very angry with him in the second half, why ?

I don’t get angry. It was a positioning like I can do with any player. It’s a choice compared to the option taken at the start. Don’t go interpreting. Eight players had to play the three full matches, after which I have different options. I don't adapt to the opponent but I try to have the most dangerous team for the opponent. Today, with Bradley, Kylian and Ousmane, the idea was to pit speed against their big sizes.

It’s still not nothing Griezmann…

(He cuts) He plays every match. He played almost two in full, he came in for 20 minutes. For me this is not a problem. I know what he is capable of doing. If he gets one of the two chances in the second match, it's not the same thing at all. For me it's a choice for the moment, like Marcus who blew. It can happen to others.

Will he come back in eighths?

For the eighths we have time. He played two matches, he was better in the second. I took the option of blowing it. He experienced it as a professional, with a smile, there was no problem. Unless you ask the local butcher or baker. Others are not happy, those who haven’t played and that’s normal. I can't please everyone.

Barcola had his first tenure, what did you think of his match?

Taking into account that it was his first start, in a high-stakes match, against an opponent of a very good level, he did some very interesting things in his style, the percussion, the sequences. He is young but if he is there, it is because he has these qualities. For a first match, he did a lot of interesting things.

After three matches, are you happy with the game played ?

The group is there, the state of mind, the solidity, we create opportunities. Perhaps teams have certainly released more potential. Obviously the fact that we didn’t score limits our performance. We are where we wanted to be. You will tell me, and you are undoubtedly right, it is logical that the French team is in the round of 16. But we must not trivialize it. This group was really very difficult. The proof with the results. We will use these three matches. We have a little break which will be good for everyone. We are going to switch to a new competition. I know very well that the impressions of the first round are not always those of the second. We deserve to be second, I'm satisfied with that, it was the first objective. Now it will be the ax. And there will be big ones, obviously that's all that's left, that's the lot of competitions.

What can you improve?

In five days… That’s putting it at the bottom. But we do what we have to do, we have the opportunities. We can still improve. We have always had an interesting goal average. In these three matches it was a little more complicated, hence one victory and two draws. But I remain positive.

Are you disappointed with the bench's contribution?

We can do better. It’s never easy to get home. Some will note that from the bench we rarely make a difference. When we have to seek a result, it has not always had the desired effect. Could have been better.

What did you change about Lewandowski's penalty? Should the rule be changed, not leaving the possibility of stopping the running race?

I don't see much. The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the line, it doesn't matter much. On the run-up, others do it. I don't make the rules, it's Fifa. We are here to apply them. To think that Mike saved that penalty, to shoot it again… That’s how it is.

The break will be good. Is this an important transition phase ? What did you think of Mbappé's return ?

From everything he went through, between the shock, the first three complicated days for him, I found him in good shape. He gets used to the mask even if, when he sweats, it runs into his eyes. He showed a lot of desire. But this match will serve him well for the one that awaits him. And on the break, with families, it’s always an important moment. Let the staff and the players benefit from it. We are qualified. We will then switch.