The manager of the French national football team, Didier Deschamps, is glad that his side will not have to face the mighty Portugal in the World Cup qualifying play offs.
FIFA announced the playoffs draw earlier today. According to the draw, France will be facing Ukraine, while, it’s Sweden which will be taking on Portugal.
The first leg of the France-Ukraine clash will be played in Ukraine, while, the second one will take place in France. That’s a bit of an advantage for the French team as it’s always good to play return leg in front of the home crowd.
Although, France is currently ranked lower than Ukraine in the FIFA rankings, still they will be the top favourites going into this contest. However, Deschamps has made it clear that his side will not be taking their opponents lightly at all.
Talking to the reporters a few hours back, the France boss said, “They are not going to make it easy for us. They are a fantastic side and they haven’t been defeated in the last 7 matches.”
“Their defense is pretty strong. The opposing teams don’t manage to score too many goals against them.”
“We can’t take them lightly. We have confidence in our abilities and that’s good, but, I believe that you should respect the other side as well. They will also be trying their best on the pitch.”
“It’s great that we have to play the return leg on our home ground.”
The last time that these two sides had faced each other was in the Euro Championship last year. That match was played at Shakhtar and was interrupted by lightning for a short period of time, but, Les Bleus had eventually won it by 2-0 with the goals of Cabaye and Menez.
The manager of the French national football team, Didier Deschamps, is glad that his side will not have to face the mighty Portugal in the World Cup qualifying play offs.
FIFA announced the playoffs draw earlier today. According to the draw, France will be facing Ukraine, while, it’s Sweden which will be taking on Portugal.
The first leg of the France-Ukraine clash will be played in Ukraine, while, the second one will take place in France. That’s a bit of an advantage for the French team as it’s always good to play return leg in front of the home crowd.
Although, France is currently ranked lower than Ukraine in the FIFA rankings, still they will be the top favourites going into this contest. However, Deschamps has made it clear that his side will not be taking their opponents lightly at all.
Talking to the reporters a few hours back, the France boss said, “They are not going to make it easy for us. They are a fantastic side and they haven’t been defeated in the last 7 matches.”
“Their defense is pretty strong. The opposing teams don’t manage to score too many goals against them.”
“We can’t take them lightly. We have confidence in our abilities and that’s good, but, I believe that you should respect the other side as well. They will also be trying their best on the pitch.”
“It’s great that we have to play the return leg on our home ground.”
The last time that these two sides had faced each other was in the Euro Championship last year. That match was played at Shakhtar and was interrupted by lightning for a short period of time, but, Les Bleus had eventually won it by 2-0 with the goals of Cabaye and Menez.