NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
France coach Didier Deschamps is back with Les Bleus for their World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden on Tuesday after traveling to Europe for his mother’s funeral.
Deschamps learned of his mother’s death the day after France’s victory over Iraq on June 22, which secured progress to the group stage. He missed Friday’s victory over Norway.
“I’m here. I’m fine and it’s good to be busy since Friday night when I returned to the United States,” Dechamps said Monday through a translator.
France swept its group matches for the first time since 1998, joining Argentina and Mexico as the only nations to win all three matches. In search of their third title after 1998 and 2018, Les Blues would face Germany or Paraguay in the round of 16 if they beat the Swedes.
“For me it was very difficult. And for me and for the French team it was important that I leave. They did what they had to do,” Deschamps said. “And now we are preparing a competition within the competition.”
Assistant Guy Stéphan led the team to a 4-1 victory over Norway in Deschamps’ absence.
“It was a shock,” midfielder Adrien Rabiot said through a translator. “He completely trusted us and we delivered in the best way possible. We’re happy he’s back. I don’t think it’s that easy to have to cry in these conditions. This is football, and now we have the World Cup, and that’s it.”
Deschamps led France to the 2018 title and to the 2022 final, a penalty loss to Argentina.
Captain of the 1998 French champions, Deschamps took over as coach in 2012 and said in January he would retire this summer. He is trying to become the second coach to win two World Cup titles after Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938.
“Didier returned with the willpower to go as far as possible in this World Cup. It is something that, of course, will also help him forget these tragic events a little,” said Rabiot. “He smiled a lot. He tried to appear enthusiastic, although I know he is very affected by his pain. I think he is trying not to show it, not to convey anything negative to the squad.”
Information from The Associated Press.
