Al Rayyan (Qatar): France must be on their toes after they face England of their World Cup quarterfinal conflict as their opponents have gamers able to hurting them on the counter-attack and at set-pieces, coach Didier Deschamps stated on Friday.
The groups haven’t met at a serious event since they drew within the group stage of Euro 2012 however the focus has very a lot been on the sport between two international locations that share a sporting rivalry.
Deschamps, who has received the World Cup with France as a participant and coach, stated he didn’t see many weaknesses within the England staff however they did have some “barely much less sturdy factors”.
“Tempo is usually one of many keys – when you find yourself fast then the opponents have much less time to get organised. However you want extra than simply tempo to attain targets,” Deschamps stated forward of Saturday’s recreation at Al Bayt Stadium.
“You may cease lots of issues however it is extremely tough to cease somebody very fast, particularly in transitions.
“England are very sturdy in transitions – greater than half of their targets have come from fast counter-attacks. However they produce other qualities too — they’ve technical potential, the capability to attain targets and talent on set-pieces.”
The highlight has been on how ahead Kylian Mbappe, the event’s prime scorer with 5 targets, will fare in opposition to the England defence, with Kyle Walker saying he would depend on his expertise of taking part in him up to now after they sq. up.
“I am certain England can have ready to face him however Kylian is able to make a distinction,” Deschamps stated.
“Even in his final match he wasn’t at his finest, not in prime type however nonetheless decisive (scoring twice in a 3-1 win in opposition to Poland). We’ve different gamers that may be harmful as properly.”
England captain Harry Kane opened his account at Qatar 2022 within the pre-quarterfinal in opposition to Senegal. File photograph:AFP/Jack Guez
France skipper and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has spent the final decade taking part in in England with Tottenham Hotspur and the 35-year-old stated he can be sharing what he has discovered from taking part in within the Premier League together with his teammates.
“A few of us play and prepare with the English gamers every day. If we can assist our teammates with data from taking part in with the golf equipment, we do,” Lloris stated.
“They (England) are good on set items, they’re tall, they’ve gamers who can take good free-kicks. We’ve to be very sturdy, however our assault has what it takes and might make it tough for them.”
France received the World Cup with a stellar run in Russia 4 years in the past however Lloris stated it was the England squad that has extra event expertise than the reigning champions.
“If we evaluate each side, there have been extra English gamers right here who have been on the World Cup in Russia than France gamers,” Lloris added.
“England reached the semifinals on the final World Cup and have been runners-up on the Euros, there’s been an actual development. This staff is able to compete for trophies. They have been unfortunate on the final Euros, they have been shut, however they’re right here to win.
“In our facet there are modifications, there is a new era of gamers able to compete taking part in in the very best golf equipment in Europe. It is a good combination of expertise and younger gamers, we’re getting stronger step-by-step.”