Although France again disappointed in the Nations League on Monday evening, Didier Deschamps is not worried in the run-up to the World Cup. The national coach thinks there is still enough time to get in shape with ‘Les Bleus’.
France went down 0-1 against Croatia and after four games only has two points in group 1. This means that the defending champion and world champion has no chance for a place in the final round.
“But I’m not worried. We will evaluate this with the staff. More will be needed to reach our level. For now I mainly see a lack of freshness,” said Deschamps after the defeat against the Croats in Paris.
According to the 53-year-old national coach, something has to change. “We have to be self-critical,” he said. “I never see things in black and white, but the results prove we weren’t good enough. I hope we get our fighting spirit back.”
The Frenchman declined to name players. “Or some players have overestimated themselves? For me it’s not the individual that counts, but the strength as a team. We have fallen short during this Nations League campaign.”
For France, the World Cup starts on November 22 with a game against Australia, which secured participation in the tournament in Qatar on Monday evening. Denmark and Tunisia are the other group members.
Standings group 1 division A
- 1. Denmark 4-9 (+3)
- 2. Croatia 4-7 (-1)
- 3. Austria 4-4 (+0)
- 4. France 4-2 (-2)