France unite behind Didier Deschamps before Norway match | OneFootball

The France squad have rallied around Didier Deschamps after the death of his mother, with assistant Guy Stéphan asked to take charge until the head coach returns. They face Norway on Friday at 21:00, with first place in Group I still the target.

According to Le Progres, Stéphan said Deschamps phoned him early on Tuesday with the news, the funeral is on Friday, and he will lead the group until Deschamps’s expected overnight return from Friday to Saturday.

On Thursday, Stéphan and Aurélien Tchouaméni addressed the media, beginning with messages of support for their manager. Players were stunned by the announcement on Tuesday morning and are living through a difficult moment, yet Tchouaméni said they will try to make the situation feel normal, be even more united on the pitch and fulfil their mission.

Despite the heavy context, nobody sought to downgrade the sporting goal. Deschamps delivered an emotional, mobilising talk before a quick trip to his homeland, and the squad accept the circumstances cannot be used as an excuse against Norway.

Tchouaméni, the Real Madrid midfielder, is due to return to a reshaped starting XI, with Gusto, Lacroix and Cherki in contention. He said Stéphan remains in constant contact with Deschamps and that the team plan to keep their principles of play.

Stéphan admitted he feels out of place away from his usual work on the training ground and called the moment cruel, adding he would try to be worthy of the trust placed in him. On Friday night, France will feel even more like Didier Deschamps’s team.

Source: Le Progres