France will go into Friday’s Group I finale against Norway in Foxborough, Massachusetts, knowing a draw will be enough to top the group, but without the man who has been in charge of the team for more than a decade.
Manager Didier Deschamps has taken leave from the squad after the death of his mother earlier this week. And while the 57-year-old was expected to step down after the tournament from the post he has held since 2012, none of his current charges were prepared for this kind of separation.
“My thoughts are very much with Didier and his family, myself, (as are those of) all the staff and players,” assistant Guy Stephan said through an interpreter. “He’s very affected by what’s happening to him. … So, I’ve been in close contact with him. I just spoke with him a few minutes ago. And that will continue until the match, even though (Friday) is another special day since it’s the day of the funeral.
“So, I’m going to try to make this difficult situation as normal as possible.”
