France boss Didier Deschamps has emphasised the size of the task facing his side in Wednesday’s Euro 2016 semi-final, declaring that Germany are the best team in the world.
Deschamps’ men eased past Iceland tonight with a 5-2 win to set-up a meeting with Germany, and the 47-year-old stressed that France will go all-out for victory against Joachim Low’s side.
As reported by BBC Sport, Deschamps said: “Germany are the best side, there’s no doubt about that – although they had a few scares against Italy. We’re going to really go for it against the best side in the world.
“I’m delighted every time my team win. It’s never easy. We did what we needed to in the first half. We relaxed a little bit and made some substitutions, that doesn’t help things.”
France were hugely impressive in swatting aside Iceland, completing 90% of their attempted passes on the night. Olivier Giroud hit a brace, with Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann also on the score-sheet.
Deschamps, rather wisely, elected to withdraw Giroud and Laurent Koscielny in the second half to ensure that they didn’t receive a second yellow card of the tournament, which would’ve ruled them out of the semi-final with Germany.
France have a very strong squad, as emphasised tonight by centre-back Samuel Umtiti delivering an impressive performance on his international debut.
Deschamps will welcome back N’Golo Kante and Adil Rami from suspension against Germany. However Low’s team will be without striker Mario Gomez, who’s been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile Wales take on Portugal in the other semi-final on Wednesday night, as we edge closer to next weekend’s final in Paris.
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