France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday Spain are the team to beat at the World Cup, seeking to temper expectations for a squad that includes several tournament debutants.
Deschamps will lead France into his fourth and final World Cup as coach when the two-time champions play Senegal in their opening match in Group I on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Among the favourites in North America, Les Bleus are bidding to become only the second European nation to play in three consecutive World Cup finals, following West Germany’s run from 1982 to 1990.
“France, like six or seven other nations, naturally have their sights set on winning the title, but the road ahead is long and difficult,” said Deschamps, a World Cup winner as captain in 1998 and then as coach in 2018.
“Obviously, France have the potential to compete at the highest level, given the results in recent World Cups.”
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Deschamps has a star-studded attacking cast with the likes of captain Kylian Mbappe, reigning Ballon d’Or Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
But some key members of the past two World Cup squads have since retired from international duty, such as Hugo Lloris, Rafael Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
For Olise and Paris Saint-Germain forward Desire Doue it will be their first major tournament, with Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche also in the same position.
“I have a lot of top-quality players, but for many of them this will be their first World Cup. I’m not going to say that France is stronger than everyone else, but Spain is the clear favourite,” said Deschamps.
France are intent on erasing the pain of their defeat by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final, but they will need to hit the ground running in a tricky Group I that also features a dangerous Norway team and Iraq.
“This first match is very important,” said Deschamps.
“Starting with a win in a four-team group is ideal; that’s always the aim going into the first match.
“But it’s the emotional aspect that we can’t really measure or quantify. Players can get tense because of the atmosphere of the match and the surroundings.”
Senegal famously stunned defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. Deschamps said his side will not be caught off guard this time.
“Senegal are a very, very high-level opponent. We have the same expectations and the same respect as we do for other opponents, but I know Senegal’s potential,” he said.
“They are among the best teams in Africa and the world. We know what to expect in this opening match.”
Midfielder N’Golo Kante is back at the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition due to injury.
The 35-year-old, the oldest member of the squad, is likely to start on the bench against Senegal. He hopes the match can serve as a launchpad for success.
“We saw what happened in 2002. We want a win, not for the sake of revenge, but to get the tournament off to a good start and go as far as possible,” said Kante.
AFP
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