"I don't know if we will remember this generation in 20 or 30 years" - Former France star unhappy with team's showing at Euro 2024
Former France midfielder Johan Micoud has criticized Les Blues' EURO 2024 performances so far. He said he wasn't sure if the fans would remember the current generation in 20-30 years due to their style of play.
Speaking to L'Equipe (via Tribal Football), Micoud noted that Didier Deschamps' tactics, while effective, were not pleasing to the eye. He added that the players were also not improvising enough, saying:
"I miss this team. Each time, I get a response: 'yes, but it wins'. But I imagine that we could win by playing a little better offensively, with the players on the field. Where Deschamps is very strong is that he transmits to his players this mentality of never giving up, of hanging on until the end, even if it's not great, there will be an opportunity. When you play on the field, maybe you do less unconsciously."
He added:
"We talk about 1984, 1998, 2000, because there was play. I don't know if we will remember this generation in 20 or 30 years -there. We will talk about his record and we will add more each time, but what p***d off is they can do more when watching their matches."
Micoud is currently Zinedine Zidane's agent, who has been linked with the France national team job. The legendary footballer has managed Real Madrid in two different stints but has reportedly rejected approaches from several clubs since.
France manager ready for tough test against Portugal
France boss Didier Deschamps is looking forward to his side's EURO 2024 quarterfinal clash against Portugal. He sees the upcoming match to be more of a power struggle as two strong teams go face to face. He told the press ahead of the game (via Reuters):
"At the start of the tournament, Portugal were one of the favourites and they're a team with a legitimate right with regard to their ambition to be European champions. The match is going to be a power struggle. It's as simple as that. The Portuguese team has the capacity to keep possession of the ball, and obviously likes to attack rather than defend. So it will be a power struggle."
France are so far unbeaten in EURO 2024, while Portugal have lost once, against Georgia in the final group-stage clash.