YEKATERINBURG, Russia, June 20 (Xinhua) -- France head coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday admired the attacking and defending capacities of Peru, noting that Les Bleus need to do better to win Thursday's game.
With a VAR-assisted penalty and an own goal from the opponent, France beat Australia in their opener last Saturday. However, lacking in animation, dynamism and mobility, the French elite strikers and midfielders underperformed in that match.
The French coach defended his young talents on the press conference before the match against Peru, saying some players felt exhausted and were "hard to breathe" in Saturday's match.
Regarding on the clash against Peru, Deschamps said his men can and must do better to achieve another victory.
However, at the same time, Deschamps reminded the France players of paying attention to the high quality of the opponent's attacking and defending capacities.
"Peru has some very good players in the attacking field. They have two very effective players, Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfan. They also have a solid base, with four defenders and the goalkeeper. When there is a need to defend, they defend," Deschamps said.
The 49-year-old coach also told the press that he will "have new choices" for the game against Peru.
French media reported that Deschamps will include Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi in his starting lineup to face Peru on Thursday in Yekaterinburg. Both players came as substitutes in the game against Australia.
Following a victory to Australia, a win on Thursday night against Peru at Yekaterinburg Arena would put France in a vantage position to progress from the group stage.
