France coach Didier Deschamps has admitted his side will need to be even more clinical in front of goal if they are to end Morocco’s remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign and book a place in the semi-finals.
Despite France arriving at the quarter-finals as the tournament’s highest-scoring team with 14 goals, Deschamps insisted Les Bleus still have another level to reach ahead of Thursday’s blockbuster clash against Morocco.
“We have to be even more efficient in attack,” Deschamps said ahead of the meeting in Boston.
It is a fascinating rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final, but Deschamps believes Morocco are an entirely different proposition after another outstanding tournament.
“Morocco has confirmed that they are a great team. You don’t reach the World Cup quarter-finals by chance,” he said.
The French coach was full of praise for the Atlas Lions, highlighting both their collective organisation and the quality running throughout their squad after Morocco eliminated the Netherlands before comfortably dispatching co-hosts Canada to reach the last eight.
“They have quality players and they deserve to be where they are,” Deschamps added, warning his players against underestimating one of the tournament’s biggest success stories.
France progressed with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s penalty, but Deschamps admitted his side must convert more of the chances they continue to create if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Les Bleus boast one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking units, with Mbappé leading the Golden Boot race alongside support from Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.
France, however, head into the quarter-final with some concerns. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni remains an injury doubt, while FIFA rejected France’s appeal against Michael Olise’s yellow card, meaning the winger remains one booking away from suspension.
Deschamps also dismissed any concerns over the appointment of an Argentine refereeing team for the match, saying simply: “We have to deal with it.”
With Morocco carrying the hopes of African football once again and France chasing another World Cup crown in what is expected to be Deschamps’ final tournament in charge, Thursday’s quarter-final promises to be one of the standout matches of the competition.