Croatie-France (2-0): “Everything we set up has disintegrated”, laments Didier Deschamps

A quarter -final first leg in gigantic and partly unpredictable proportions. The Blues of Didier Deschamps sank this Thursday in Croatia (2-0) this Thursday, seriously compromising their chances of qualification for Final 4 of the League of Nations. Transparent, febrile, outdated, they were often ridiculous and swept away in duels. At a press conference, the national coach did not hide his disappointment.

What did not work, especially in the first period?

DIDIER DESCHAMPS. We had good intentions. But we made too many technical errors in the face of an opponent who has quality and who punished us. There was not much that I liked in this first period. The technical choices, the orientations, PFFF, it was very laborious. We rectified the shot afterwards. The opponent gathered, used malice but we did not find the effectiveness.

The group was there. But we were too apathetic. Too many technical errors. We were punished. Know the why of how. I could have made other changes at halftime. The observation is there. Knowing the why … we had a short time but it’s not fatigue. Everything we have put in place has disintegrated and made us febrile.

How do you imagine the return? Based on the 2013 return dam against Ukraine (2-0 defeat, 3-0 victory on return)?

It is a beautiful image. We will do everything to win the second round, with this goal.

Should we change 80 % of the team?

I don’t think about it today. You will have to do everything much better. I do not ask the question of who and how. We will see how they recover. I will decide when I have all the information.

“Kylian was very legs, very available”

Why did you modify the positioning of Dembélé after the break?

There were permutations also in the first period when he was more axial. There is his feelings too. He had more landmarks on the right. He has always evolved in this area with us. I always leave a lot of freedoms to offensive players.

By installing Kylian Mbappé left axis, were you wrong?

It’s up to you. You make the conclusions you want. Kylian was very legs, very available, he made a lot of effort even if he did not succeed everything. He got two opportunities. On his condition and his state of mind, there is no doubt. For others, it is difficult to get out of the positive.

Did the midfielder lack creativity?

We made too many technical errors, not just in the middle. Behind, we didn’t take out the ball.

Why did you replace Ibrahima Konaté at the break?

I saw him in difficulty, not at best. Even if it’s hard, I preferred to change it.