France team boss

Deschamps ahead of clash: “You have a lot of quality”

France coach Didier Deschamps has great respect for Christoph Baumgartner and Co.

(Bild: APA/dpa/krone.at-MRGrafik)

France's national team, Austria's first European Championship opponents in Düsseldorf on Monday, finished their preparations with a clean sheet against Canada and lacked punch. Team boss Didier Deschamps showed a lot of respect for the ÖFB team.

The "Krone" reports from Bordeaux

"Scared of the EURO." Or: "Not very advanced."

France's sports bible "L'Équipe" virtually led the way in criticizing the goalless dress rehearsal in Bordeaux against Canada in Monday's edition. Le Parisien also wrote that "despite chances, there was hardly any strength or tactical clarity".

Monday's edition of "L'Équipe"

(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

France team boss Didier Deschamps had already put the brakes on at the press conference. "The preparation was short but good. We will be ready for what awaits us in Germany." So Austria to start.

"A very compact team"
Mr. Deschamps: What do you think of the ÖFB team? "Strong. Also against Holland for a long time. Let's have a look at the Copa América," he replied to the "Krone" question. Stunned looks in the room, a federation spokesman whispered in his ear - before Deschamps, who was apparently still with Canada, burst out laughing.

France team boss Didier Deschamps at the press conference

(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

"Pardon! Yes, Austria, we know your potential, that you have a lot of quality," revealed "DD", who had watched the ÖFB tests against Serbia and Switzerland. "Austria have a very compact team. With great players who are used to playing at a high level and with a lot of passion and intensity. I think this team is underestimated."

Back to "Les Bleus": What was striking against Canada with team boss and former Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch, who described Austria as "very strong" in the "Krone"? For example, the fact that captain Mbappé was sorely missing as a wild card for the title co-favorites.

The "Krone" was right in the middle of France's European Championship dress rehearsal.

(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

"When Kylian plays, it makes a difference, it's clearly better," said Deschamps. "But we didn't want to take any risks after he suffered a knock against Luxembourg." No problem for the neo-Real star: "It's going very well," said the exceptional player with a smile as he walked through the mixed zone.

Mbappé was replaced by France's record goalscorer Giroud, who will retire after the European Championships - it was his last international match on home soil. And as captain.

The French fans in Bordeaux were full of expectation.

(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

The almost 41,000 fans in the sold-out Stade Matmut-Atlantique loved it, and there was often applause and chants of "Giroud" for the soon-to-be 38-year-old. "We know what Oliver can do as a real number 9," said the team boss, who gave him the captain's armband for this reason: "That was the team's wish, I accepted it. The group decides."

Debate about Griezmann
Deschamps, who missed out on his 100th win in the 153rd game of his era, varied the system. Either 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 with Griezmann as second striker. This sparked the debate as to whether the latter would not bring more behind him.

No problem for the vice-captain himself. "I can play both, I can adapt." Smiling postscript: "I'm just simple."

"Les Bleus" want their simplicity back at the European Championships. So as not to look "scared" again.