France will fight for a spot in the UEFA Nations League semifinals this Sunday when they host Croatia at the Stade de France. Ahead of the decisive match, manager Didier Deschamps has attempted to shift the focus away from star players Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, while praising the experience and quality of their opponents.

Deschamps backs the full team, not just his stars

In the pre-match press conference, Deschamps emphasized that France is more than just its attacking duo:
“They have a great connection on and off the pitch, but there are nine other players with them,” said the French coach, downplaying any dependence on individual brilliance.

He also addressed Mbappé’s performance in the first leg, where France fell 2-0 in Split.
“He was involved, available, and worked hard. The only thing missing was the goal,” Deschamps said, pointing out a crucial save by the Croatian goalkeeper that denied the Real Madrid forward.

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who joined Deschamps in the press conference, echoed the support for Mbappé:
“He's very happy to be back with us. He brings joy and leadership to the group.”

Croatia’s experience and Modrić's influence

Deschamps also praised Croatia’s recent performances in major tournaments, noting their runs to the 2022 World Cup semifinals and the previous Nations League final.
“They have veteran players, but they're still very effective,” he warned.

Special mention went to Luka Modrić, who remains a key figure at 39 years old.
“He’s still decisive and has great influence on the team,” Deschamps stated.

The French boss confirmed that Adrien Rabiot is a doubt for the match due to a calf issue and admitted it will be “complicated” for him to play.

France looking for a comeback

The defeat in the first leg means Les Bleus will need to overturn a two-goal deficit in front of a sold-out home crowd.
“We weren’t at our best in the first match. We’ve talked about it and we want to show a different face,” said Tchouaméni.

Deschamps remains optimistic:
“I see a motivated group, but that has to translate into performance on the pitch.”

With high expectations and home advantage, France will look to bounce back and keep their Nations League hopes alive—this time, not relying solely on their superstars.