KAZAN: France appear to be obsessed with Lionel Messi. Well, who isn't.
ALSO READ: Riding on a million prayers, Argentina take on France
With their team stuffed with explosive ability, somewhat extra self assurance and self-esteem used to be expected from the French nationwide media on Friday. However, greater than part the questions they threw at captain Hugo Lloris, France's first choice goalkeeper, and later at the trainer Didier Deschamps, have been about Lionel Messi at the eve of France's World Cup pre-quarterfinal clash.
Both responded with numerous grace and admire at the Kazan Arena press convention room. "It is normal to talk about Messi and Ronaldo. They are regular stars for a number of years. Argentina had a difficult time in the group stage but they still qualified. We are expecting a big match tomorrow and we are ready to answer the call."
Another question reminded Deschamps about that evening in Paris when he led France towards the Ronaldo-led Brazil in 1998. He used to be asked to match with Saturday's forthcoming clash with Messi-led Argentina. The French World Cup-winning captain may not however agree with the similarity between the 2 situations.
ALSO READ: Maradona wants others to back Messi up
"We are talking about two huge players. Ronaldo with Brazil and Messi with Argentina can force a lot of parallels. But that was the World Cup final and tomorrow is a just the first step to a whole new 'tournament'. We will try our utmost to secure the result in our favour and take a number of precautions so that Messi does not become dangerous."
Messi can adjust the destiny of a game with "very little", but the French trainer also is aware of that Saturday's game offers him with the best alternative to get the record straight towards Jorge Sampaoli's struggling Argentinians. The final time France lost to a South American aspect within the World Cup used to be in 1978. At the Estadio Monumental, when the hosts got the simpler of France 2-1.
"I have been the coach of the French national team for six years now and we haven't done too badly. We reached the World Cup quarterfinal in 2014 and the Euro 2016 final. Now we are in the Round of 16 without losing a game. We enjoyed a lot of exciting nights, like the one in Ukraine seeking our qualification to Russia. We expect a similar night here tomorrow and we are focused on our preparations," stated the trainer, for whom the pre-quarterfinal would be the 80th in command of France.
Inexperience is one house that issues Deschamps at the side of Messi. "He has 65 goals in 127 matches. Even Mascherano (Javier) is nearing his 150th cap," Deschamps rattled out the numbers, appearing the kind of homework that has long gone into making ready for this game. "Our inexperience is not an excuse. It is a reality. Fourteen of our squad had never competed in a World Cup game. We are starting from scratch."
Finally, someone out of doors of France asked him about his midfield mixture of Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante and Deschamps gave the impression relieved. "They complement each other. Kante is more aggressive and good at recovering the ball. Paul is more creative and good with assists. But I must say that Kante often makes interesting passes upwards."
Technically, France have scored only one from open play so far, with Kylian Mbappe scoring towards Peru. Antoinne Griezmann knocked in a penalty in their opening game towards Australia and France's third objective so far is an personal objective from Australian Aziz Behich. "He played 65 minutes against Denmark and he seems to have picked up some momentum. We need Antoinne to be at the top-level tomorrow," stated his trainer.
On France's defensive balance, Deschamps stated Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane's Spanish enjoy would possibly come in useful. "They are aware of Messi's talent and unpredictable ability to send a spark across the stadium. We will try to limit his impact."
ALSO READ: Riding on a million prayers, Argentina take on France
With their team stuffed with explosive ability, somewhat extra self assurance and self-esteem used to be expected from the French nationwide media on Friday. However, greater than part the questions they threw at captain Hugo Lloris, France's first choice goalkeeper, and later at the trainer Didier Deschamps, have been about Lionel Messi at the eve of France's World Cup pre-quarterfinal clash.
Both responded with numerous grace and admire at the Kazan Arena press convention room. "It is normal to talk about Messi and Ronaldo. They are regular stars for a number of years. Argentina had a difficult time in the group stage but they still qualified. We are expecting a big match tomorrow and we are ready to answer the call."
Another question reminded Deschamps about that evening in Paris when he led France towards the Ronaldo-led Brazil in 1998. He used to be asked to match with Saturday's forthcoming clash with Messi-led Argentina. The French World Cup-winning captain may not however agree with the similarity between the 2 situations.
ALSO READ: Maradona wants others to back Messi up
"We are talking about two huge players. Ronaldo with Brazil and Messi with Argentina can force a lot of parallels. But that was the World Cup final and tomorrow is a just the first step to a whole new 'tournament'. We will try our utmost to secure the result in our favour and take a number of precautions so that Messi does not become dangerous."
Messi can adjust the destiny of a game with "very little", but the French trainer also is aware of that Saturday's game offers him with the best alternative to get the record straight towards Jorge Sampaoli's struggling Argentinians. The final time France lost to a South American aspect within the World Cup used to be in 1978. At the Estadio Monumental, when the hosts got the simpler of France 2-1.
"I have been the coach of the French national team for six years now and we haven't done too badly. We reached the World Cup quarterfinal in 2014 and the Euro 2016 final. Now we are in the Round of 16 without losing a game. We enjoyed a lot of exciting nights, like the one in Ukraine seeking our qualification to Russia. We expect a similar night here tomorrow and we are focused on our preparations," stated the trainer, for whom the pre-quarterfinal would be the 80th in command of France.
Inexperience is one house that issues Deschamps at the side of Messi. "He has 65 goals in 127 matches. Even Mascherano (Javier) is nearing his 150th cap," Deschamps rattled out the numbers, appearing the kind of homework that has long gone into making ready for this game. "Our inexperience is not an excuse. It is a reality. Fourteen of our squad had never competed in a World Cup game. We are starting from scratch."
Finally, someone out of doors of France asked him about his midfield mixture of Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante and Deschamps gave the impression relieved. "They complement each other. Kante is more aggressive and good at recovering the ball. Paul is more creative and good with assists. But I must say that Kante often makes interesting passes upwards."
Technically, France have scored only one from open play so far, with Kylian Mbappe scoring towards Peru. Antoinne Griezmann knocked in a penalty in their opening game towards Australia and France's third objective so far is an personal objective from Australian Aziz Behich. "He played 65 minutes against Denmark and he seems to have picked up some momentum. We need Antoinne to be at the top-level tomorrow," stated his trainer.
On France's defensive balance, Deschamps stated Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane's Spanish enjoy would possibly come in useful. "They are aware of Messi's talent and unpredictable ability to send a spark across the stadium. We will try to limit his impact."
FIFA World Cup 2018: France can think only about Messi
![FIFA World Cup 2018: France can think only about Messi]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 30, 2018
Rating:
