‘He knows how to win games’: Pundits heap praise on Didier Deschamps after his France side overcame Morocco in their World Cup semi-final, with Rio Ferdinand praising how ‘they don’t even have to play well at times’
Pundits were full of praise for France boss Didier Deschamps after he led his France side into a second consecutive World Cup final on Wednesday night, with Rio Ferdinand praising their ‘explosive power’.
France beat Morocco 2-0 in their semi-final thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Kolo Muani, a particularly impressive result given the pressure they were put under at times by the Atlas Lions.
It was another excellent night in Deschamps’ reign as manager, which has already seen them win one World Cup in 2018.
Didier Deschamps has led France to a second consecutive World Cup final in Qatar
Goals from Theo Hernandez [pictured] and Kolo Muani sent them to a 2-0 win in the semi-final
Ferdinand was taken with how France could win games without being as their best, as he explained: They don’t even have to play well at times, but they’ve got the experience and they’ve got the explosive power at the other end of the pitch that can define games.’
He also touched on how the manager has called on his own experience to get the best out of his players, adding: ‘He did the dirty work as a player, and now he gets players in his team to do that.’
Antoine Griezmann has been highlighted as a particular example of a player who has excelled in a deeper, more team-focused role under Deschamps.
Didier Drogba also spoke highly of the 54-year-old, who captained France in their 1998 World Cup win, saying: ‘He knows how to win, he learnt that with Marseilles, with Juventus.
Deschamps has been widely praised for ‘knowing how to win games’ after a successful career
Rio Ferdinand spoke of how France ‘don’t even have to play well at times’ to get results
‘He’s won the World Cup as a manager, won it as a player, he knows how to win games.’
On France’s recent injury problems, Drogba added: ‘No [Paul] Pogba no problems, you have [Aurelien] Tchouameni.’
Deschamps’ men will face Argentina in the final on Sunday, in a match where the focus will likely be on Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
There will be a chance for Deschamps to make history, though, as he could become the first manager since 1938 to win consecutive World Cups.
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