In France, they are wondering about the miserable results. But we are not afraid of the World Cup, says the coach

The French national team has had its worst national team meeting in years, not winning any of its four Nations League matches and finishing last in its group table with two rounds to go. This logically worries coach Didier Deschamps.

France went ahead in the first game in June. Karim Benzema sent the last world champions into the lead in their home clash with the Danes, but Andreas Cornelius, the two-goal scorer, turned the tide after the change of sides.

And the French did not fare at all well in their second match in front of their own fans. With Kylian Mbappé, Benzema and other stars in the line-up, they lost 0:1 to the Croatians, decided by Luka Modric on penalties.

“We lacked strength, character and energy. We have to take it, even though it hurts that we didn’t win. Even I didn’t have enough energy to pass on to the players. The reality among the elite is relentless,” Didier Deschamps said at a press conference.

Yet the French won the last edition of the competition and are far from the toughest group. Denmark has gone up a lot in recent years, Croatia, on the other hand, has seen its silver generation leave and Austria is a level below the other teams.

Ironically, the only points the French have earned have come in away games. In Croatia they lost the win with an 83rd minute goal from Andrej Kramaric, while in Austria Mbappé equalised in the 83rd minute to 1-1.

“When something goes wrong, there has to be self-criticism. I don’t see it only in black and white. But the last results have shown us that we didn’t do enough. I hope we can recharge our batteries and the players will get their fighting spirit back. They need to clear their heads, return to their clubs and start the new season,” continued the national coach.

More worrying for French fans than a possible relegation to the second division in the Nations League is the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. It starts this winter and their favourites will defend their first place.

Still, several factors are at play for France. First and foremost is probably the widest squad in Europe, after all the coaching staff has four quality players for each position, two experienced and two young. And above all, two stars of today’s football, Mbappé and Benzema.

“I am not afraid. We will do an analysis with the implementation team. If we want to maintain the standard, we will need to improve more things. Overall, we lacked a lot of lightness. We have to do a lot more to be ready in September,” Deschamps added.

Source:: French football federation