For several decades, France and Italy have had a great rivalry in football. Throughout the meetings between the two teams, this mutual bitterness has intensified to the point that each meeting between the two nations is highly anticipated. This Sunday, as part of the last day of their Nations League group, the Blues traveled to the Italians’ pitch. A match that smacked of revenge as Italy won last September on the Parc des Princes (1-3). And at the end of a match controlled by the French and thanks to appreciable mastery on set pieces, from which came the three French goals of the evening, the Blues won at San Siro (1-3) .
A great revenge which contributed to the happiness of Didier Deschamps at the end of the meeting. Questioned by TF1, the French coach gave the keys to this victory which allowed the Blues to steal first place from their evening opponents: “I’m happy for the players. We were very efficient this evening. They were shot very well by Lucas Digne and we had very precise positioning with their defense and their goalkeeper who didn’t really stand out. A very long time since we scored from a free kick. We have a younger group and with the September milestone, I made the choice to see as many players as possible. To come and win here against a team full of confidence is very good. I told them that first place was possible so hats off to the whole group.”
A serene Didier Deschamps and annoyed by the permanent criticism against the France team
Obviously, this victory also allows the French coach to take a nice revenge against all his detractors who castigated him again on Thursday after a tasteless draw against Israel (0-0). The former midfielder took the opportunity to put some respect back into his team’s balance sheet in a year 2024 considered a failure by many observers: “I’m willing, but we’re semi-finalists in the Euro, so we’re going to look for first place. I know that we are expected to win every match 3-0. We beat Belgium twice in a group where there is Italy, Belgium and us. We have a young team where young players need playing time. We were excellent tactically this evening. Today, all the players were in the best position. I had made this choice of a doublet in front with Marcus and Kolo to have presence in the central axis because the Italian players in the corridors had greatly hampered us in the corridors. The first leg served us well, the three attacking players were the basis for the balance of the team.”
Then asked about the team he would like to face in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, DD affirmed that he had no preferences in his usual phlegm and borderline a certain nonchalance: “tonight, we take first place. I don’t have any preferences for the quarter-finals. It’s in four months so you know (he blows). We avoid the heavy stuff like us and we will play the return match at home, which is a small advantage all the same.»Relaunched on his personal condition after this last match of 2024, the French coach once again gave a layer to his detractors: “How’s it going. Yes, it’s been a complicated year but I’m doing very well. I’m at the heart of what’s happening in the locker room. I have my calm and serenity. Afterwards when things go less well… I know very well the requirements! So it’s the fault of my players for ten years, maybe a little of mine too. We’re still waiting. It’s either the fault of my players or me for ten years. We are up there, we want to stay there. After the draw against Israel, did you see what Argentina and Brazil did? We can’t win every time.” One thing is certain, the French team ended 2024 on a very good note.
