DOHA (VG) France’s forward stars continue to wreak havoc in Qatar, but coach Didier Deschamps (54) has also made tactical considerations to intimidate the Danish playmaker.
This is what Olivier Giroud tells VG. The scorer of two goals from the meeting with Tunisia she was one of three French stars who stopped by to answer a few questions in English.
There, the France striker took over the plan that the team had prepared before the match on his own initiative.
– We didn’t want to leave them space between parts of the team, especially around Christian Eriksen. That’s why we defended deep and compact, Giroud tells VG.
In the Danish press, Eriksen was described as “invisible” during the match.
– Eriksen, where are you? The Danish superstar has been completely invisible. She doesn’t look like him at all. VM it’s underway, Christian. What happens? asked Danish newspaper BT.
France succeeded quite well with the plan. True, it was Eriksen who hit the corner to make it 1-1, but the 30-year-old was never allowed to wreak havoc against compact France.
– He is the Danish playmaker with the most qualities. That’s why we defended deeply, to prevent him from taking the ball and playing along with him. We had a plan, not just against him, but we know he has the qualities to make a difference, explains Giroud, who eclipsed Thierry Henry’s record of 51 international goals with his two goals against Tunisia.
However, Eriksen hasn’t been entirely harmless, and has shown flashes of class on multiple occasions. He was rewarded with a six at the VG World Cup swap. No Danish player has received a higher grade.
– I think we create more chances than in the last game and it’s much better from a football point of view. I’m sure if we have the same chances against Australia, we will score them, says Eriksen.
For Denmark, the premise is relatively simple: beat Australia, then the Danes will in all likelihood be ahead. The exception is if Tunisia beat France with a result which means that both Tunisia and France have a better goal difference than Denmark.
– Denmark are a very good and solid team that is difficult to play against, central defender Raphaël Varane said in the press area.
France, on the other hand, is ahead. For the first time since 2006, the reigning world champion managed to get through to the round of 16.
– I can not hide my joy. The job is done and we can enjoy it, said goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the promotion.
