Football
ESPN staff 8y

Didier Deschamps says France 'capable of better' after Switzerland draw

France boss Didier Deschamps said his side have room for improvement after a 0-0 draw with Switzerland saw them secure top spot in Group A.

France won their opening games against Romania and Albania thanks to late goals, but they were unable to find a winner in their final group match against Switzerland in Lille.

Paul Pogba came close to breaking the deadlock when he struck the top of the crossbar with a long-range shot in the 17th minute, and Dimitri Payet went even closer when his 75th-minute volley struck the underside of the bar.

In the end, though, the spoils were shared as the Euro 2016 hosts secured the point they needed to take top spot, with Switzerland joining them in the knockout phase as runners-up.

Deschamps accepts Les Bleus have not yet lived up to their status as pre-tournament favourites but is hoping they will fulfil their potential when the knockout stage begins.

"I am not blind," Deschamps told reporters after the match. "I realise we are capable of better performances, but a second competition is beginning right now for us.

"It will begin next Sunday. We have got a long week and time to get prepared."

Deschamps also felt France were the better side on Sunday and highlighted the fact that Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer was named Man of the Match.

"Technically Switzerland did some really good things as well, but we had the best chances," he said. "We can't say they had a lot. With more composure and a bit of luck, we could have won this game.

"In terms of controlling the game, we should be able to do more and to avoid having to do so much defending."

He added: "Sommer was the Man of the Match and, when the goalkeeper is Man of the Match, that shows we had chances. You can always criticise players -- I know the players are well aware that we can improve in a number of different areas.

"That said, but for a great goalkeeper and a few centimetres, or being more clinical, we could have scored goals."

Asked what positives he took from the group stage, Deschamps replied: "The results. We got through, scored goals and created chances, and resolved a number of things defensively in a short space of time.

"There was a lot of focus on defending set pieces. In terms of our control in attacking play, we can always do better, but I'm pleased with what the players are doing."

Juventus midfielder Pogba brought a good save from Sommer early on as well as hitting the bar, and he said: "In the first half I thought we were really strong and created a lot of chances.

"In the second half we let them play a bit more and left them a bit too much space. Overall, though, we had a good game and are happy with our performance."

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