If it experienced a slight hitch in Iceland by conceding the draw (2-2), the France team is in a strong position to qualify for the next World Cup. Leaders of Group D with 10 points in four days, the Blues will be assured of finishing in first place by beating Ukraine this Thursday evening.
The Blues have not missed a World Cup or Euro since the tragedy of 1993, when the Blues let their ticket for the American World Cup slip away in the final moments of their last match against Bulgaria. Bixente Lizarazu has been playing in the French team for a year. Since then, France has systematically qualified and more and more easily. And for the former full-back, Didier Deschamps has a lot to do with it.
“It’s been eight years now since Didier Deschamps managed to qualify France for the various tournaments without too much difficulty or stress. It has become a good habit, which was not the case at the end of the 80s or the beginning of the 90s. Being present at a World Cup or a Euro has almost become obvious to us”he greeted in the columns of The Team.
“It’s even dangerous to think that it’s obvious because that could leave room for relaxation. But with him, there won’t be any, and even less this Thursday evening, against Ukraine. he continued, seeming to have no doubt about the victory of Kylian Mbappé’s Blues.
Didier Deschamps has it all, for Bixente Lizarazu
“We can always be frustrated about the form, we can debate about the style, about the offensive animation sometimes, but what is certain is that this team experiences very few drops in performance. The strength of Didier Deschamps is to maintain this regularity”, he insisted, adding: “It’s also about being able to create a group, a team, whatever the withdrawals or defections. He knows how to cultivate a good atmosphere and ensure that the players arrive there with a good state of mind. »
“He knows how to give importance to less important matches, he further emphasized. He managed to instill in all the players he called his professionalism, this concern for rigor, for permanent questioning. And then, the coach is skillful enough to avoid communication traps, not to impose stupid pressure on a match. »
A tragedy like the Blues experienced in 1993 seems totally inconceivable. And in the event of a poor performance against Ukraine, the France team will have another chance on Sunday in Azerbaijan.
