Deschamps on France's Final Match: 'We have a duty to achieve this objective'

Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team, addressed the media ahead of their third-place playoff against England, acknowledging the lingering disappointment from their semifinal defeat to Spain.

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I feel responsible towards England; this is not a friendly. There is a third place. I have a duty with my staff to do everything to achieve this last objective. We are here. The English don't want to, we don't either. There is an objective. That's what occupies my mind.

"I feel responsible towards England; this is not a friendly," Deschamps stated, emphasizing the importance of competing for third place. "We have a duty to do everything to achieve this last objective. The English don't want to, and neither do we. There is an objective. That's what occupies my mind."

Reflecting on the loss to Spain, Deschamps admitted, "Obviously, when there is victory, smiles, and joy, those are wonderful moments. When that's not the case, it's less pleasant. You have to accept it. Spain was better than us." He noted that despite good athletic data from his team, Spain's quality elevated the game. "The disappointment is commensurate with the ambitions we had. You have to accept it. After that, it will be vacation time; they need it, and so do I."

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Obviously, when there is victory, smiles, and joy, those are wonderful moments. When that's not the case, it's less pleasant. You have to accept it. Spain was better than us. With, paradoxically, data on the athletic level, distance, and intensity of runs that are good. That's partly our fault. And undoubtedly the fault of Spanish quality which raised the bar. One way or the other. Spain qualified and we didn't. The disappointment is commensurate with the ambitions we had. You have to accept it. After that, it will be vacation time; they need it, and so do I.

Deschamps also discussed player injuries, particularly Saliba's, which he described as problematic, and Rabiot's inability to play at full capacity due to pain. He defended his decisions, stating, "I have decisions to make, and I made them." He also addressed player concerns about team selection, stating, "No, he wasn't worried. I don't want to go into detail. After 17 minutes of training, you'll know who will play or not. I have discussions with the players. No one will play by default."

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On the choices? I have decisions to make, and I made them. Saliba's injury was problematic. Examinations were done. His injury did not worsen; he's had it since March. He gritted his teeth, and the pain was at an unbearable degree. Adrien (Rabiot), I'll take a long time. I like to take a long time. At the cooling break, he comes to me and says 'coach, I can no longer play normally and play my game.' When you're a midfielder, I knew it a bit, the game is 360 degrees, it can come from anywhere. I told him to manage it, not to drag his foot. There was an action where it wasn't far off. I played those matches, and I was the shadow of myself. With the handbrake on, the sword of Damocles. There is an assessment of risks, changes, being at 10. It's been a long time since I've asked myself the question 'Ah, if only I had this or that.' You don't have all the data.

Regarding the refereeing, Deschamps clarified, "I am not questioning when I ask the question; it wasn't the referee who made us lose. He didn't eliminate us, but there are decisions that could have been different." He concluded by acknowledging that Spain and Argentina deserved their places in the final based on their performances.

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I am not questioning when I ask the question; it wasn't the referee who made us lose. He didn't eliminate us, but there are decisions that could have been different. The first analysis, Spain and Argentina deserve to be in the final because they beat their opponents.