“We know it’s going to be extremely noisy, it’s part of the context and we’ll have to be ready for it”, said Didier Deschamps, France coach
DOHA: France go into the World Cup semifinal against Morocco with the utmost respect for their giant-killing abilities as the defending champions prepare for a hostile reception from the Maghreb side’s supporters, a report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says.
“We know it’s going to be extremely noisy, it’s part of the context and we’ll have to be ready for it”, said Didier Deschamps, France coach
The French fans largely outnumber Morocco supporters at the Al Bayt stadium and the French players know they will be jeered throughout the nerve-wracking game.
France coach Didier Deschamps told a news conference “They’re benefiting from a huge support, I’ve seen this and my observers have told me about. We know it’s going to be extremely noisy, it’s part of the context and we’ll have to be ready for it”.
Captain Hugo Lloris said: “We’re going to have to be ready for the noise”.
The backing of fans has been giving Morocco, the first African side in the World Cup last-four stage, extra energy as they beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the semifinals, but France will be ready.
France’s Kylian Mbappe not the only worry for Morocco
Speaking of the potential threats expected from French player Kylian Mbappe, Moroccan coach Walid Regragui said Morocco have no specific plans to deal with him. “Holders France posed too many individual threats to just concentrate on one. I am not going to try and set up any particular tactical plan to counter Kylian. If we just focus on Mbappe that will be a mistake”.
France top scorer Mbappe is the tournament’s top scorer with five goals and came in for special attention from England in Saturday’s quarterfinal,
“I am not going to try and set up any particular tactical plan to counter Kylian,” he said. “France also has other good players. (Antoine) Griezmann is on top of his game and playing well between the lines and Ousmane Dembele is also a perfect complement to Mbappe on the other wing.”
“If we just focus on Mbappe that will be a mistake. They are world champions, with world class players and they will be going for it with all they got. We need to focus on what we can do to cause problems for France, he added.
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