Deschamps promises attacking performance

07/07/2016

Didier Deschamps has promised his France side will hold nothing back when they take on Germany in their Euro 2016 semi-final. The duo meet in Marseille on Thursday with the victor going on to face Portugal in Sunday’s final following their 2-0 win over Wales on Wednesday.

Die Mannschaft, who are 2.88 to win Euro 2016, beat Les Blues in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the hosts will be hoping to upset the record books, having not defeated their neighbours in a major tournament since the 1958.

Having been tipped as favourites from the outset, France – who are also 2.88 to triumph overall at the tournament – have looked less than certain at times during Euro 2016 but truly clicked in their 5-2 last-16 win over Iceland, producing some of the most exciting football of the Euros to date.

The trio of Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Greizmann all appear in rude health and will be buoyed by the suspension of Mats Hummels. Deschamps admits his side face a tough task at the Stade Velodrome but has warned the world champions to expect an attacking performance from his troops. “We need to score goals. This is a team that doesn’t concede a lot of goals,” he said.

“Germany take command of their games and they dominate possession but we can’t go into this match thinking we’re going to defend then hit on the counter-attack.” “With all the respect we have for Germany, we have a great chance and we’re going to take it with both hands.” France are 2.80 to win on Thursday, with the draw 3.00 and Germany 2.88.