Three days after a France-Israel failed in a big way, the Blues got back on track by winning in Milan against Italy (3-1) and finishing at the top of group 2 of the League of Nations. They will know their opponent on November 22. In the meantime, it was a satisfied national coach of the French team who presented himself at a press conference this Sunday evening at San Siro.
What is the analysis of the meeting? Is this a reference match?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. Reference, founder… That doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s a lot of pride after a match where we lacked efficiency. The context was different. We did a lot of very good things, especially the three offensive players in positioning. Winning here is always a source of pride. To do it with two goals difference is a very big performance. It’s a very beautiful evening!
Does this success have a particular flavor after the criticism aimed at the Blues and you?
The last match in November is good to win because the next one is in 4 months. Criticisms are part of life. Me, I’m internal, I set a line. You don’t know everything. There are very high standards and expectations, I know, but the group is much younger. These six matches served that purpose. This will complicate my choices for the future. It’s a very good thing to have achieved this great match.
What assessment do you draw from reoxygenation?
I knew I was taking a risk, or at least an option. They have less experience, less experience. We will take the time with the staff in the seminar to analyze everything, the pros and cons.
We had control, we defended well
There were 7 changes from the last match. Despite everything, there was technical mastery. What do you attribute it to?
We had little time to work. We put things in place in the positioning, on the video, on the flipchart. We were good in all lines. We had control, we defended well. There are only positive points. It’s great to achieve this in these conditions and in this atmosphere. We did better and given the match, our victory is deserved.
Mike Maignan said that it was the victory of a united team, on an evening when Kylian Mbappé was not there…
It’s your interpretation. I know there are negative and twisted people in life. You will make debates about it. Mike speaks from his heart. Don’t go interpreting. He speaks in relation to the players present. Kylian, leave him alone. It’s complicated for him. I am convinced that he will regain full possession of his means.
Have you worked on set pieces with Lucas Digne?
We happen to work (ironic). It is the Italians’ choice to defend very low. This gives us the choice of putting a lot of players in the zone. It was more the area that was targeted, with in particular two players Adrien Rabiot and Ibou Konaté. It works or not, but we chose this option on set pieces.
