France Players Determined To Give Deschamps A Winning Farewell

After getting knocked out by Spain in the semi-final, France will take on England in the upcoming third-place playoff in Miami. Despite lacking the intensity, Les Bleus are still confident to win this game and give their legendary coach Didier Deschamps a perfect farewell.

France were among the favorites to reach the FIFA World Cup final, however, their hopes were shattered when Spain knocked them out of the tournament with a brilliant 2-0 win in the semi-final.

It was France’s third straight defeat to Spain in a major tournament semi-final, following their losses at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League. Saturday’s match will also be Deschamps’ final game in charge of the team. The 57-year-old had already announced last year that he would step down when his contract ends after the tournament.

Speaking to the reporters at a press conference, he said the French team is certainly a bit saddened, but winning the upcoming match against England is still a part of job for them.

"I have a duty for this game. It is not a friendly. It is a third-place playoff. The players, staff, and I have the duty to reach this last objective. It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are.” said France coach Didier Deschamps.

"We have to set our eyes on that goal to be third and make this final goal a reality. We have this duty when wearing this jersey. In my head I know that it is my last match. I don't want anybody to cry. The end is near but life goes on." added Didier Deschamps.

Speaking about the changes to the team, Deschamps said he would make some adjustments to the starting lineup as some players were unavailable due to injuries.

Meanwhile, the French defender Ibrahima Konate said that despite a tough loss in the semi-final, the players were determined to give Deschamps a memorable farewell.

"None of us wanted to play for this third place but we have no choice," said Ibrahima Konate.

"We want to pay back our coach. He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that and we need to do everything we can to win this game... to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal." added Ibrahima Konate.