Deschamps ready to counter Messi in final

France coach Didier Deschamps admitted he was “immensely proud” after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Morocco took the holders through to another World Cup final where he said his team would try to find a way of countering a Lionel Messi in “scintillating form” for Argentina.
“I am immensely proud. It is great to be through to the final but it was not an easy victory,” Deschamps said after an early goal by Theo Hernandez and a late finish from substitute Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium saw off the first ever African or Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
“We needed a mixture of quality, experience and team spirit, and in difficult periods we had to dig deep but I am really satisfied and proud of my players.”
France are aiming to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back World Cup titles after Brazil’s double victories in 1958 and 1962. However they must prepare to face an Argentina side who have been inspired on their way to the final by Messi and who will be seeking revenge for a 4-3 defeat when the teams met in the last 16 four years ago.
“Messi has been in scintillating form since the start of the tournament,” Deschamps admitted. “Four years ago things were different. He played as a centre forward, whereas now he is playing in a front two or just in behind the striker. He looks in great shape and of course he is one of the best players in the world so we will try to counter Messi’s threat as much as possible, just as Argentina will try to stop the influence of some of my players.”
Deschamps hopeful on Rabiot
as virus hits France squad
France coach Didier Deschamps is hopeful that Adrien Rabiot will be fit for the World Cup final after missing Wednesday’s win over Morocco due to illness as he revealed several members of his squad had shown “flu-like” symptoms.
Midfielder Rabiot and defender Dayot Upamecano both dropped out of the line-up for the holders’ 2-0 win over Morocco in Al Khor, although the latter was named among the substitutes.
“Dayot was here but he wasn’t 100 percent. He had a few difficult days and has had a fever, although he did train last night,” Deschamps said. “Given the tough match we had tonight I decided to play (Ibrahima) Konate instead and he has already shown he can play at this level. Adrien was sick and so we left him at the hotel because we didn’t want to take any risks, but we now have four days before the final so he should be available for Sunday.”
Rabiot’s place in the French midfield was taken by Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana. Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani got France’s goals, although Kolo Muani may not have come off the bench had winger Kingsley Coman not also displayed symptoms of illness ahead of the game.
“Kingsley came on in the last game but he also felt not great this afternoon so he wasn’t 100 percent,” said the coach, who suggested Qatar’s omnipresent air conditioning may be to blame for some of his players falling ill.
“The air conditioning is on all the time and so we have had a few cases of flu-like symptoms but we will try to avoid it spreading,” he said. “The players put in so much effort on the pitch and so their immune systems suffer. Your body is weakened and you are more prone to getting infected.”