Didier Deschamps: Emotion and celebration as the France manager prepares for the home farewell

As Rabiot predicted, Lille is likely to celebrate.

In their previous game in Nantes on Thursday – a shock 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast – fans paid tribute to Deschamps by holding cardboard cut-outs that enhanced his image during the match.

However, he does not allow himself to leave the team for the manager.

“Since I’ve been in camp, I’ve done a lot of things like last time, so I’m not trying to think about all that.

“I’m not too sad, I’m not going to be happy about it. What’s important to me is outside of my personal sphere.”

Deschamps, who has also guided France to the last World Cup final, Euro 2016 final and the Nations League title in 2021, thanked the French support for the gesture.

Les Bleus will play Senegal, Iraq and Erling Haaland’s Norway in Group I in the US and Deschamps wants “positive things” from fans ahead of the final.

“The tribute was nice, and even though it was match time and the players were playing, I was trying to focus on what was happening on the field,” he added.

“These two matches in France before we go to the USA, close to the fans and a lot of people who are not able to go to the USA, we’re trying to get as much energy, try to get as good a vibe from the fans as possible, and that’s a positive thing for the French team.”