Only two countries managed to defend the title. Italy (in 1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). But only Italian coach Vittorio Pozzo was involved in both triumphs. The Canaries changed coaches between championships, Vicente Feola was replaced by Aimore Morera. A little Pozzo, nicknamed The Old Master, can now repeat Deschamps.
“We are facing the last step. I feel emotions, pride for the team. The defense would be incredible,” says Deschamps, who is a magnet for success. He is one of three people to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. In addition to him, the Brazilian Mario Zagallo and the German Franz Beckenbauer did it.
The 54-year-old Bayonne native captained the French national team to their championship victories in 1998, as well as their Euro 2000 triumph. In addition to the world champion title at the last tournament in Russia and progress to the final in Qatar, he also led Les Bleus at the Euro 2016 final.
The man, who has sat on the national team bench since 2012, was expected to go bankrupt before the tournament. This is also why the current championship is the biggest professional challenge for him so far. All the more given the injuries of Pogba, Kante and Benzema. Many pundits predicted that France would follow the path of the bottom three holders (Italy, Spain and Germany), who had already finished the group stage in their defence.
“We had a small doubt about Deschamps. We wondered if he didn’t stay too long in the team, if he still has motivation, passion. The doubts have been swept away. It seems that nothing can stop his team. Deschamps’ France”, writes the French newspaper Le Parisien in its commentary.
Deschamps has the x Factor in him. He can come up with working solutions that many would not think of. And they work perfectly. The retirement of striker Griezmann in midfield is seen as a key move. “Deschamps understands his players. He manages to get them to give their all,” said Deschamps’ team-mate from the 1998 World Cup gold squad, striker David Trézéguet.
Deschamps’ path to immortality will be blocked by the youngest colleague of all participating countries in Qatar – Argentine Lionel Scaloni. And of course the brilliant Lionel Messi, who wants a golden farewell to the world championships. He too will seek revenge for the elimination in the round of 16 against France at the last World Cup (3:4).
“Messi has been in great form since the beginning of the tournament. Four years ago things were different, he played on the point, now he goes for the balls and is more of a joker. We will do our best to eliminate him and win back the trophy for the France,” Deschamps points out. “We will win the final and Deschamps will stay with the team. He has to do it, he is the best coach,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. it’s clear.
