Deschamps ready for 'complicated game against Ireland'
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Deschamps ready for 'complicated game against Ireland'

France boss Didier Deschamps has said his side are ready for a 'complicated' game against Ireland later today.

An injury-ravaged Ireland will take on France in Paris at 7.45 pm, and it's fair to say that fans of the Irish team are not confident of getting a result against the 2022 World Cup finalists.

However, France, who only beat Ireland 1-0 in the reverse fixture thanks to a late Benjamin Pavard goal, will know that Ireland cannot be taken for granted.

"It’s always complicated against Ireland," said Les Bleus' boss Deschamps.

Antoine Griezmann echoed similar sentiments to his manager and claimed that France will be confident of not 'suffering' like they did in Dublin last year.

"It was a very complicated game in Dublin," added Griezmann. "We had to suffer a lot at the back, so it was a really narrow escape for us to win the game.

"If we have control of the ball more in this game, I don’t think we will suffer in the same way, and we hope to do that."

Ireland heads into the game without a number of key players. This includes the likes of Evan Ferguson, Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, who is suspended, and other players have niggles.

Despite Ferguson's absence, Deschamps has praised the Bettystown native. The World Cup-winning manager and player believes that Ferguson can get even better as time goes on.

"I think he is a very good player, and that’s a loss for the team of Ireland not to have such an important player," said Deschamps.

"He has shown really good qualities with his own club. I know he has made fewer appearances with his national team, but with his club, he is a very good player.

"I know that he has so many qualities as an attacking player. I know he is going to be a very efficient player, maybe he is going to get even better in the future."

Republic of Ireland Squad - FranceGoalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth). Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Enda Stevens (Stoke City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), James McClean (Wrexham), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough)Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Preston North End), Aaron Connolly (Hull City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town).

Match DetailsCompetition: UEFA EURO 2024 QualifyingFixture: France v Republic of IrelandDate: Thursday, September 7Kick-off: 7.45pm (8.45pm local time)Venue: Parc des Princes, ParisTV: RTE