World Cup 2018: Deschamps earmarks Argentina as potential France threat

Didier Deschamps acknowledges France’s World Cup group could have been worse, but has earmarked Argentina as a potential threat should they make the knockout stages.

Les Bleus, winners in 1998 and among many people’s favourites to triumph in Russia, will face Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C.

If France, who played Denmark in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, make it to the last 16 they could face Argentina – who scraped their way into the tournament with a Lionel Messi-inspired victory over Ecuador in their final qualifier – depending on how they fare in Group D.

But head coach Deschamps is not overly concerning himself with factors beyond his control.

“It could have been far worse of course. We made a habit of playing Denmark and we played Australia in a friendly,” he told RMC.

“The most important thing right now is to monitor our opponents in the next set of friendlies of March. 

“We will have to rise in power during the tournament. I know which group can cause us concern, the one with Argentina. 

“But you can’t always avoid them. Let’s go step by step. It’s meaningless to talk about the big teams right now. 

“We know our opponents and their profiles and we will play our friendlies with teams which have similar profiles.”

Et voilà la dernière nation qui composera le Groupe C ! #TirageAuSortCM pic.twitter.com/0jckHQadd5

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) December 1, 2017

Robert Pires, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, believes Deschamps’ men have to be happy with the match-ups received.

“It’s a very good draw, even though you always have to respect the opponents and the players you’re playing against,” he told beIN SPORTS. 

“But we know our qualities and we have experience. Let’s say it’s going well so far.”