Didier Deschamps will not change France’s attacking approach for France vs Sweden in the round of 32 on Tuesday in New York. The France coach said he wants his side to keep its capacity for danger as Les Bleus move into knockout play.
Deschamps keeps the same edge
“We have a capacity for danger, and I want us to keep it,” Deschamps said before the last-32 tie. He added that France have been labelled as favourites before and that the label has not gone away after the last three matches, but he also said it is “back to square one now.”
France scored 10 goals in the group stage, and Deschamps said they could have scored more. He also said the side conceded too many goalscoring opportunities, which is the main reason the game plan cannot rely on attack alone. In knockout football, that kind of waste can be the difference between control and a match that turns on one break.
France injury concerns
Marcus Thuram will not be fit because of a little muscular issue. N’Golo Kanté looks set to be fit for the bench, while William Saliba continues to be managed with a back injury. That leaves Deschamps with one forward unavailable and two other familiar options on different timelines heading into Tuesday.
Adrien Rabiot said Deschamps’s announcement of his mother’s death was a shock, and he said France would try to give him something to rejoice over. Deschamps rejoined his squad on Friday after travelling to France on compassionate leave, returning after time away from the camp last week.
Sweden bring physical tests
Deschamps described Sweden as a solid team with very physical qualities, good capabilities and quality in the attacking line. He also pointed to two good midfield players, set pieces and long throw-ins as the areas France must handle cleanly if it wants its own style to hold up.
“We are confident, not overconfident, but in terms of intentions we will look to continue what we managed in the group,” Deschamps said. “When we have the ball we don’t have a problem, when we don’t have possession we’re going to have to be efficient.”
That is the balancing act for France in New York: keep the threat that produced 10 group-stage goals, but stay sharp against a Sweden side Deschamps said can create problems and has nothing to lose. The match will show whether Les Bleus can carry their attacking edge into the round of 32 without giving away the openings he said they conceded too often before.
