‘Different’ France not dwelling on Euro 2016 final loss
MOSCOW: Two years ago France were just as close to a title as they will be here at the Luzhniki Stadium in the World Cup final on Sunday. Playing on home soil, there was a sweeping euphoria that they will win the Euro 2016 title with victory against Portugal in the final. Eight minutes in, it seemed it was a certainty when Portugal lost their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to injury. It was set up for them to win, bring joy to an expectant home crowd and celebrate with a victory parade at the Champs Elysees.
Champs Elysees didn’t turn blue that night. Portugal stifled France in a superb show of collective strength at the Stade de France, turning back waves of attacks and then sneaking away with a goal in extra-time. On a night that France had prepared to celebrate, it was Portugal who were the ones celebrating. On Sunday, with a victory against Croatia, the French team wants to hold the party that was postponed two years ago.
A lot has changed for France since. Only nine of the players from that defeat to Portugal remain. And on Sunday, coach Didier Deschamps will employ the very same tactics that Portugal used to undo his side. At the World Cup, France have been a side that has shown breathtaking counter-attacking ability, built on a savage defence. They have the players who can produce spellbinding football but they’ve done that in only some fleeting moments, just enough to see them reach the final.
They’ve raised expectations again back home. But they are not even thinking about how the French public is reacting to their run in Russia. Unlike two years ago, they want a finality to the euphoria that they’ve generated.
“The majority of the players weren’t present during the Euro but for those who were it was difficult to digest,” France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said during the pre-game press conference here at the Luzhniki Stadium on Saturday.