FINAL FOCUS

Deschamps calls for French to keep calm ahead of showdown

FRANCE coach Didier Deschamps will instruct his young side to focus on Croatia and three other Cs when they meet in today’s World Cup final: calmness, confidence and concentration.

Deschamps was France’s World Cup-winning captain in 1998 but experienced the disappointment of seeing his side lose on home turf in the final of the European Championship in 2016.

Speaking to the media on the eve of Russia 2018’s finale, the 49-year-old said: ‘It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here and I will tell my players there is nothing more beautiful for a player than the World Cup final. But I will give them three important messages: stay calm, have confidence and concentrate.’

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, meanwhile, is unconcerned by the extra minutes played by his team ahead of the clash with the French.

The Croats needed extra-time and penalties to beat both Denmark and Russia, while Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner gave them victory over England in the semi-final.

Dalic said: ‘One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell whether they are not 100-per-cent fit. They know what is at stake in the final, but if they will be unable to give their all, then they will tell us.’