Before the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Spain, France coach Didier Deschamps was interviewed by beIN Sports.

Didier, you are about to enter your final week as head coach of the French national team. How do you feel now?

I am very focused right now, and as for that matter, it's the least of my worries. No, I actually feel very good. Yes, yes, obviously we are now in the final stretch, and being able to play in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals again is a happiness in itself. So, ever since we defeated Morocco, my coaching staff and I have been fully dedicated to focusing on player recovery and comprehensive game preparation to face this very good Spanish team.

Adrian Rabiot previously told us that precisely because this is your last major tournament as coach, and you have experienced many difficult times with everyone, these experiences have become the strongest bond for team cohesion. How do you feel when you know your players are eager to surpass themselves and give their all for you?

I am very proud of what they are doing, and after this, things always happen in life that, unfortunately, we cannot predict or prevent in advance, but we have a very united group, a very cohesive and concerted team. That's how it is, we couldn't have just stumbled into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals by mere luck, and this isn't the first time either.

So, there's no doubt that the team has high qualities on a competitive level, but the same goes for interpersonal communication; you need people with very good intentions, and also mutual goodwill. So, that's how it is, this is a team that is completely different from all other teams, every team is unique, there's nothing to compare.

As for other teams, we all know what they have done, what achievements they have made. And this team is like this, we are facing this important semi-final match, we are one of the four best teams, because the four teams standing here now are the top four teams.

In the past two official matches, we didn't get good results against Spain. What makes you think things might be different this time?

It will always be different, but then again, there's no talk of revenge here, no such thing, this is purely a contest of strength and power. Clearly, for Spain, it's natural for them to get here, even if perhaps only in their first match against Cape Verde...

But anyway, we know the quality of this team very well, we know the characteristics of this Spanish national team and the great threat they pose. They are very good at controlling the ball, capable of firmly dictating the pace of the game, and imposing their will on opponents. This is a team that has only conceded one goal so far, so... but we also have our own strengths and cards to show our opponents. So, there's no doubt that this will definitely be a head-on clash of strength against strength, but what's past is past. Most importantly, tomorrow we will write a new page.

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