France coach Didier Deschamps (55) remains optimistic about his key attackers Kylian Mbappe (25) and Antoine Griezmann (33) as France prepares for a quarter-final showdown against Portugal in the European Championship. Speaking ahead of the match at the Volksparkstadion on Friday, Deschamps acknowledged Portugal’s status as strong contenders for the Euro 2024 crown.
“At the start of the tournament, Portugal were one of the favorites and they’re a team with a legitimate right with regard to their ambition to be European champions,” Deschamps stated in a press conference on Thursday. “The match is going to be a power struggle. It’s as simple as that. The Portuguese team has the capacity to keep possession of the ball and obviously likes to attack rather than defend. So it will be a power struggle.”
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Deschamps hinted that the match could also be cautious, much like France’s previous encounters in the tournament. “We saw the Netherlands when they played against us were a lot more cautious than they tend to be. The same can be said about Belgium. So maybe Portugal will also have the same attitude,” he observed.
Deschamps pointed out that Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is known for his tactical flexibility, often altering his formation. “I know their coach Roberto Martinez likes to shake up his formation; sometimes it’s three at the back, sometimes he throws in that extra defender. If you have any inside information you can share, I’m all ears,” he quipped to reporters.
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Defending the performances of Mbappe and Griezmann, Deschamps addressed recent criticisms of their contributions. “Kylian had a problem in the preparation, and he’s had a trauma during the competition,” Deschamps said, referring to Mbappe’s broken nose in their opening game against Austria. “He feels good and we will need a great Kylian against Portugal.”
As for Griezmann, Deschamps emphasized his continuous effort and importance to the team. “Antoine’s effort remains the great volume it has always been. On the more technical part, it is inferior to what it could have been. But Antoine is not depressed, I assure you. We will need them all tomorrow.”
With confidence in his squad and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, Deschamps is ready to lead France into what promises to be an intense and thrilling match against Portugal. As both teams vie for a place in the semi-finals, fans can expect a high-stakes encounter filled with determination and skill.
