The coach of the Blues appeared happy and satisfied in front of the media after the victory against Belgium (2-0) Monday evening, at the Groupama Stadium, in the League of Nations.
Special envoy to Décines
Do you feel relief after this victory in a difficult context?
Didier Deschamps: There is no relief, I am very happy with the reaction we had. Belgium caused us a lot of difficulties in the first 20 minutes. Is it because of the context for the players? Maybe. I am not relieved, but I appreciate it even more. I am not putting the team in the best conditions by making the changes (8 between Friday and Monday, Editor’s note) and even if it had gone badly today (Monday evening), it would have been even more my party (he smiles), but you have to go through it. Some players do not have the experience of the top level, but it gives answers. I knew it was going to be complicated. There are too few players who are 100% (at this point in the season). It was complicated (this gathering), for different reasons. We pressed high against a good Belgium team. I appreciate it, we were not the worst on Friday and we are not the best today. But it goes through moments like that.
How did you feel when you were booed before the match?
I didn’t hear, because I was in the locker room. I heard about Bradley (Barcola)… I’m not going to point the finger at one club over another. That’s the only regret when you go to play in the provinces. For me, it’s not important.
Also readNations League: Didier Deschamps booed in Lyon before France-Belgium
Criticism is part of the life of footballers and coaches.
Didier Deschamps
What feeling dominates after this evening?
The joy of seeing the group react well. Criticism is part of the life of footballers, of selectors. There is room for everything. I start from the principle that it is up to me to set objectives and directions, even if it goes against the result. The French team does not win 3-0 every match when it comes on the field. You do not replace players with 50 caps with a snap of your fingers and so much the better. This requires confirmation.
What do you think of the good performance of Manu Koné, who was new to the France team in September?
He got a yellow card early (4th minute), then had one or two bad touches, but then… I called him for that. Against a team like Belgium, it’s very good. He needed experience next to him, but it’s a good step for him, which will obviously require confirmation. The three-man midfield? It’s not linked to Friday’s match. It was more in relation to the opponent.
Also readThe Blues’ ratings after France-Belgium: Dembélé bleeding, Koundé strong, Thuram transparent
I’m staying on the same course, which is to see as many players as possible in real life.
Didier Deschamps
What lesson do you draw from such a reaction without the presence of Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann at kick-off?
Certainly not to scratch them. Antoine was more expected to start this one and not the first. Playing two international matches in three days is really complicated. It’s a group. I told the players, it’s not those who played on Friday who lost and those today who won.
In your desire to rotate your squad, would you go so far as to rest your captain and vice-captain in October?
No, otherwise I would have to leave many who are in the same situation. I am not going with that idea, even if it has already happened. I saw in particular that Rüdiger did not go with Germany. But I am not going to tell you today what I am going to do in a month. It will be a little different since there will be four days between the two matches (Israel and Belgium), but I am staying on the same course, namely to see as many players as possible in real life.
Comments collected at a press conference
