Aurélien Tchouaméni and Guy Stéphan aim to make Didier Deschamps proud ahead of Norway | OneFootball

France face Norway in Boston on Friday without Didier Deschamps, who is absent following the death of his mother. Vice-captain Aurélien Tchouaméni and assistant Guy Stéphan said the team want to make him proud.

According to L'Équipe, kick-off is at 21:00 and France are targeting top spot in Group I. Stéphan will take charge for only the second time, after the 1-2 Nations League defeat to Denmark in June 2022.

This time he will oversee a World Cup match. He said he has been in frequent contact with Deschamps up to the game, but there will be no exchanges during it because the match coincides with the funeral. He added he would try to keep things normal and that Deschamps asked him to lead the group until Saturday.

Stéphan said the situation feels unusual, as he is more at home on the training pitch. He stressed the staff must deliver in this third match. The warm-up will be run by Stéphan with fitness coach Cyril Moine and goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot, though he noted a three-man setup cannot last indefinitely.

Tchouaméni offered condolences to his coach on behalf of the France squad and staff, calling it a difficult moment for everyone. He said the group will stick to their principles, with Stéphan continuing the coach’s line, and described him as open and fond of banter. The midfielder added that they are convinced they will put everything in to win.

Source: L'Équipe