Tunisia-France (1-0): “Not sure if the match can resume” – Didier Deschamps surprised

His Plan B didn’t work from an accounting standpoint. But Didier Deschamps, the coach of the national team, did not hide then, after the defeat of his wards from Tunisia this Wednesday in Doha (1:0), that some were not up to it. He came to the press conference more than an hour after the end of the meeting.

Are you afraid with all these changes to undermine the trust of the players?

It will serve them. After a while you either do it or you don’t. The players had to be spared, others had minor sores. Markus was supposed to play but he had a little problem and I had to change this afternoon (this Wednesday). When you have fewer reference points, it harms collective self-expression. This allows them to touch high-level requirements. Faced with an overexcited Tunisian team, we were embarrassed, late for matches, technical errors… We can’t achieve all the goals, the first two of which are qualification and first place. I did not neglect this match, but it should last us four days.

Is the satisfaction of bypassing erased by defeat?

The players are unhappy. There are 24 of us. 24 won the first two games and 24 lost the third. We played two games with very high intensity. Our opponent will play four in twelve days. We did wrong and allowed the opponent to tickle us.

Do these nine changes reflect the worrisome situation associated with the athletic standing of regular players?

No. These are not 90-minute matches, but 105 or 110. I have data that you do not have. Sometimes you have to make a choice without neglecting the game. You can’t have butter, cream, and money for cream. I know that I put the players in not the best conditions. In any case, we could have performed better. I’m not going to judge anyone.

“I don’t think whistling the Marseillaise is football”

Why didn’t Benjamin Pavard play?

I made the decision not to play with him. I had several conversations with him. I don’t think he’s in a good mood. Is it physical or psychological? The first match did not help him. I made a different choice.

You are very late for the press conference. Did you go to the referee to understand the missed goal?

I spent some time with my family. I’m waiting for an answer on the calculation. I don’t know them all by heart. The referee blew the start (after Griezmann’s goal) and the end of the game and I’m not sure the game can be restarted. I went to the judge to discuss. I’m waiting for an answer and won’t say what he said. I don’t want to question him. Do you have the number of Collina (boss of referees in FIFA)?

Was it a real football atmosphere?

I don’t know if it’s a football atmosphere. We played outside, even more than usual. Tunisia has very strong support. I don’t think whistling the Marseillaise is football or any other sport.

What are your positives?

Disasi for its premiere. Camavinga did some good things. Randal Kolo Muani showed what he can do. I can take a positive from everyone, even if there were performances below. This will help them all. I did what I planned. I wanted to give Kylian 30 minutes to keep up. Unfortunately, I was not able to connect Olivier (Giraud).