All games count for the France team and a few months from putting their title on the line at the World Cup to be held in Qatar, tonight’s meeting against Denmark promises to be full of lessons. The stars of the Blues, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé in the lead, should be lined up tonight and if on the field it should only be missing Paul Pogba, still injured, the most significant absence will be on the sidelines. Indeed, it is not Didier Deschampsbut his assistant Guy Stephan who should give instructions during tonight’s game.
The reason for the absence of the 98 world champion is anything but pleasing. Last Tuesday, the 53-year-old coach had the misfortune to learn the death of his father, Pierre Deschamps. A family drama that forced him to leave the gathering of the France team to return to his family, settled in the south-west of the country. Certainly very affected by this news, Didier Deschamps will therefore not be there this evening. “I have had Didier regularly on the phone since Tuesday, he is touched by the mourning that strikes him but he is strong, solid. He won’t be here tomorrow but he’ll be back soon.”said his deputy, Guy Stephan during a press conference.
With all the staff we tried to ensure continuity, that’s what he asked me until his return
A completely legitimate absence and there is a good chance that the players will spare a thought for the former third line of the Biarritz Olympique rugby club who died last Tuesday. If Didier Deschamps is an essential element in the success of the Blues, his deputy wanted to be reassuring about his absence. “We prepared the match upstream with Didier, we still talk about it frequently. With all the staff we tried to ensure continuity, that’s what he asked me until his return”he explains.
If the absence of Didier Deschamps is recorded for the match tonight, we do not yet know if he will be back next Monday, for the match against Croatia, in what will be a remake of the Cup final. of the world 2018.