France manager Didier Deschamps remains confident his depleted squad can pose a serious threat to reigning Nations League champions Spain in Thursday’s semi-final clash in Stuttgart. The winner will advance to Sunday’s final to face either Germany or Portugal, who meet in Munich on Wednesday.
Les Bleus will take on the Euro 2024 winners without key defenders William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Kounde — who boast a combined 100 international caps. Despite the defensive setbacks, Deschamps is unfazed, pointing to past success amid similar adversity. The 56-year-old led France to the 2018 World Cup title and a runner-up finish in 2022, both campaigns affected by injury concerns.
“Against a team like Spain with their attacking strength, it’s not ideal,” Deschamps told reporters on Wednesday. “But I wouldn’t say we are weakened. I have full confidence in the players who will step in.”
In attack, France will rely heavily on captain Kylian Mbappe, alongside newly crowned Champions League winners Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain. Deschamps heaped praise on Dembélé, tipping him for the Ballon d’Or after a standout season.
“With the season Ousmane has had, he deserves the Ballon d’Or — that’s what I wish for him,” Deschamps said, adding that Dembélé is currently ahead of Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, who is set to anchor France’s back line, echoed the sentiment: “What Ousmane has done this season is simply incredible. He deserves the Ballon d’Or, full stop.”
Konaté is expected to be joined in defence by one of several options, including Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez, Clément Lenglet, or newcomers Loïc Badé and Pierre Kalulu.
France, who won the Nations League in 2021, are seeking a second title in a competition previously claimed by Portugal (2019) and Spain (2023).
