Deschamps defends misfiring Benzema
DIDIER DESCHAMPS has backed Karim Benzema to break his goal drought and vindicate the striker’s controversial recall.
Benzema fluffed his lines as France missed the opportunity to secure early qualification in sweltering conditions.
But boss Deschamps said: “Karim has huge experience and I don’t think he is doubting himself. But it is true that he hasn’t yet been able to find the back of the net since returning. It was the same for the friendly games but he won’t be put off.
“He knows full well there are expectations and obviously we want forwards to score but he’s confident and he knows he has my trust.”
Benzema’s selection was controversial given he had been banned from the squad since late 2015 over alleged involvement in a blackmail plot of former team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema will stand trial on charges of conspiracy to attempt blackmail in October.
He has been in flying form for Real Madrid but in four matches – two friendlies and France’s two matches at this championship – he has yet to find the net.
Fellow-strikers Kylian Mbappe and Antoine
Griezmann have hardly been setting the world on fire as well – although the latter did slot in the second-half equaliser on Saturday.
“There is always room for improvement,” admitted Deschamps. “We have quality, but they don’t play often together.”
The world champions struggled in the heat in Budapest against spirited rivals, who took the lead through Attila Fiola.