‘I don’t wish any harm on Marcus or Benjamin’ – Didier Deschamps rallies behind PSG ahead of Champions League final | OneFootball

Speaking from Clairefontaine on Friday as Les Bleus began preparations for their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain (5th June), the France manager made no secret of where his loyalties lie — at least from a national interest point of view. The following was transcribed by Le Parisien at a press conference at Clairefontaine.

“I don’t wish any misfortune on Marcus (Thuram) or Benjamin (Pavard),” Deschamps smiled when asked about the final, “but as a representative of French football, of course I’m backing the French club. I want PSG to win.”

Seven France internationals are involved in the final – four from PSG (Mbappé, Dembélé, Zaïre-Emery, Hernandez) and three from Inter (Thuram, Pavard, and goalkeeper Yann Sommer, though Swiss-born). While Deschamps wants his players to succeed, he is particularly focused on avoiding any new injuries after already being forced to rule out William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Jules Koundé from the current squad. “We’re already missing three defenders. That’s quite a lot. The most important thing is that nobody comes out of the final with an injury.”

The 1998 World Cup-winning captain, who lifted the Champions League himself with Marseille in 1993, is expecting a clash of two different styles at the Allianz Arena. “PSG play with possession, rotations, width and an aggressive press when they lose the ball. Inter are more direct. It’s a back three, two central strikers. They can hurt you on the break. They also have experience – eight of their players have already played in a Champions League final.”Though all 16 of the players already in camp are likely to watch the final, Deschamps confirmed there is no group viewing session planned at Clairefontaine. “It’s up to them. If they want to watch it together, in pairs or in their rooms, it’s their choice. Nothing is obligatory. Nor will Deschamps be contacting his players before the final. “They’re still with their clubs. It’s not my place to interfere. I’ll see them on Monday evening. Some will be smiling, others won’t.”GFFN | George Boxall