Absent from the Euro 2024 draw due to back problems, Didier Deschamps nevertheless knows his players’ future opponents. And he also knows the objective that the FFF has set for him.
This Saturday in Hamburg, the different nations qualified for Euro 2024 gathered to attend the draw for the competition. Without Didier Deschamps, who had back surgery, the French team was represented by Guy Stephan and could see that the mission would not be as simple as that in the group stage. Whether it is Austria, the Netherlands or a play-off to know next March, the Blues will have to fight and stay focused to try to reach the next stage. In the meantime, the French coach knows what his boss expects of him.
As for him present on the Hamburg side, Philippe Diallo had the opportunity to express himself on the draw offered to the Blues and the course he hopes for from his players. In comments relayed by RMC, the president of the French Federation has set a clear objective for Didier Deschamps and his protégés. “ We remain with seven successes, a draw and historic qualifiers for the France team. For all selections, I set the objective of reaching the last four. And when you’re in that final four, there can be extra ambition.“
Beware of premature exit
Didier Deschamps therefore knows what remains for him to do, with a goal that was the same for him during the last World Cup played in Qatar in 2022. Exited from Euro 2021 in the round of 16, the coach had everything was even kept in his post by the former boss of the FFF, Noël Le Graët. This time, the tactician knows that he may not have as much credit to protect him if he fails in his mission. However, France remains among the favorites for final success, and Philippe Diallo believes in it.
“ We have the weapons to face it. We know that our ambition is to go further (that the group stage, editor’s note). We will approach this qualification with the humility that befits a sports team. But at the same time, with a natural ambition because we know that we have a lot of quality.“
