Didier Deschamps refused to compare Michael Olise with Antoine Griezmann after the man of Bayern Munich played a leading role in the Triumph Triumph over Croatia.
France was confronted with a 2-0 deficit of the first stage when the teams again committed themselves to a dramatic second episode in their quarterfinals in Paris on Sunday.
A stunning Olise-free staircase halved the overdue overdue overdue in the second half before the former midfielder of Crystal Palace Maker became a strike of Ousmane Dembele for the 80th minute, who brought the draw 2-2 to Aggregate.
Neither of the teams could find an extra-time winner when the draw went to penalties, and Mike Maignan denied Martin Baturina and Josip Stanisic when Les Blues 5-4 victors appeared.
Olise played in a number 10 roll with Griezmann absent due to an ankle injury-the icon of Atletico Madrid had previously appeared in a record-breaking 84 consecutive games for France.
After the game, DESchamps said to TF1, said Olise's great debut season with Bayern Munich, for whom he scored 13 goals and delivered 10 assists, had given him a new confidence.
“I am happy for him, he was radiant. I know he has the quality. If I think there is potential, I am standing,” said Deschamps.
“Antoine, with everything he has done, you can't compare the players. Michael has many qualities.
“There was a lot of bond between him and the other attacking players. He has already made a lot of progress at Bayern and this competition will be of good service to him. Sometimes it takes a little time, you always have to give them confidence.”
Asked if the result had yielded a release after France had been heavily criticized because of their first pits, DESchamps said: “No. But if I win, I am always happy. Of course the France team has quality players, but there is still a lack of experience.
“We must appreciate that it must serve this group, which is a bit younger, for the following events.”
France repelled a team with an average age of just 24 years and 254 days versus Croatia (including substitutes), their youngest in a competition during the 13-year-old reign of Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappe said in the meantime that the result was the much needed after a series of only six wins in 14 games (five draws, three defeats).
“We needed such a match to get the crowd back. We wanted to make the most hostile climate possible, in accordance with the rules,” said Mbappe.
“In Croatia we thought we were not at home. We are now going to the last four. There is a title at stake, we will try to get it.”
Mbappe also praised Maignan, who was not obliged to make a single save in the game, but Alert remained in the shoot-out.
“We know that we start a shoot-out with an advantage with Mike. He makes a difference,” said Mbappe.
Maignan himself said: “The goal is great, so the first is to take as much space as possible on the line. Then it is a psychological struggle with the shooter, you have to get in their heads.”
France will now meet the ruling champions Spain in the semi -final of the Nations League on 5 June, with Germany and Portugal in the other draw.
Comments