GROUP C

Denmark coach Age Hareide may regret making dismissive remarks about France before the World Cup when they meet in Moscow today, his opposite number Didier Deschamps has warned.

Last month, Hareide told a Danish newspaper that France are “nothing special” and lack leaders, and said Paul Pogba cares more about his hair than his football.

France are expected to make several changes for the game but Deschamps told the prematch press conference that Denmark would be given no “helping hand” and his objective was clear: win the game and top the group. Deschamps’ men have already qualified for the knockout stages after wins over Australia and Peru but Denmark, on four points, need a draw to guarantee progress.

Asked if Hareide’s comments would “add salt to the contest”, Deschamps said: “Salt, pepper, vinegar, whatever you wish – anybody can say what they want but they have to take responsibility for their words.

“It wasn’t very nice, but my Manchester United midfielder made an off-the-cuff comment about the scrutiny he is under in France and elsewhere.

Deschamps pointed out his playmaker is only 25, “so it’s highly probable he will play in another World Cup”, and said Pogba was “good in his head, happy and very motivated”.

Hareide, meanwhile, claimed his negative assessment of this French vintage had been taken out of context, as he was only comparing the team with the 1998 World Cup winners, “the best version of the French team we’ve seen”.