Didier Deschamps Laments Bad Pitch Condition at Stade Velodrome, Despite Defeating Albania 2-0

France have achieved qualification to the knock-out stages of Euro 2016 after a 2-0 win over Albania, however Didier Deschamps expressed his disappointment with the condition of the pitch.

(Image credit: The Guardian)

France once again left it late to clinch a victory that now sees them progress to the knock-out round of the tournament, with one game remaining. Just as the game was heading for a stalemate, Antoine Griezmann found the back of the net in the 90th minute to give his boss Didier Deschamps some room to final breathe. Attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet added another with 96 minutes on the clock, which now takes his goal tally to 2 in Euro 2016. Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.

“It’s a disaster, but that’s not surprising. If you have an AC/DC concert a month before the European Championships – they’re changing the pitch, re-laying the turf,” said Didier Deschamps.

However, Albania boss Giovanni De Biasi offered advice on how to avoid this in the future, “When you’ve got some good boots, you can avoid slips.”

Griezmann, who enjoyed a marvellous 2015-16 season with his club Atletico Madrid for whom he bagged 32 goals overall, opened his goalscoring account for France on Wednesday evening, that helped his country reach the knock-out phase of the competition. Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.

“I’m very emotional – very happy. We really wanted to win to be qualified. That was the main thing and now we want to guarantee first place on Sunday in Lille against Switzerland,” said the 25-year-old winger. “There are 23 of us. The coach had to manage the squad. The coach told me before the pre-match talk that I was a substitute. He asked me to be ready… and the goal is definitely revenge for the match that I played (against Romania).”

(Image credit: Independent)

In addition to scoring his second goal at the Euros last night, he was also chosen as the man of the match for the second time. He poured cold water on scepticism that France boss Didier Deschamps waits until the final moments of the game to clinch victory against their opponents.

“What’s good is that it’s not new. In March against Netherlands we already showed at the end that we could get wins like this,” said the West Ham player. “It’s a special feeling because we said last week that everyone was important in this squad. A lot of people doubted that but once again we showed it. It’s the most beautiful way to demonstrate it this evening.”

He also added that everything comes down to mentality, before praising the fans for their support. “This demonstrates once again that the game is played in the head. We have to believe until the end. Play with the heart, head, legs, and I want to emphasize that the public has played its role,” said the 29-year-old.

With 2 wins and 6 points, Didier Deschamps’s men have qualified for the knock-out stages of the Euros, even before playing their final game in Group A. Switzerland are second with 4 points, while Romania (1 pt) and Albania (0 pts) are in third and fourth spot respectively. Switzerland will be looking to clinch a draw at least against France this Sunday, just to be on the safe side, in case Romania manage to defeat Albania with a big enough goal difference that would see them leap over the Vladimir Petkovic’s men in the group.

Online sportsbook Bet365 gives Romania favourite odds 2.15 (23/20) against Albania 3.40 (12/5), while a draw between the two stands at 3.75 (11/4) – we reckon this game will end with 1-1 on the scoreline, judging by the way both sides have played in their previous two encounters in Group A. Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.

(For more details about the online sportsbook, check out Betting Herald’s Bet365 Sports Review.)

(Image credit: UEFA)

The Swiss are underdogs 5.25 (17/4) going in to face the hosts and tournament favourites France 1.95 (19/20), but we believe a draw 3.10 (21/10) for this game is more than viable considering all the aspects at stake. France might be looking to rest their key players ahead of their final clash in Group A, so a tie with the Swiss is likely.

France are the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy on home soil, with online sportsbook Bet365 giving them odds of 4.33 (10/3). If they manage to win the tournament, it would be their third overall, after clinching it 1984 for the first time and then adding another in 2000. Accomplishing this feat, France would join the elite group of nations that have won the European Championship on three occasions, with the other two nations being Spain (1964, 2008 and 2012) and Germany (1972, 1980 and 1996). Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.

Current world champions Germany are second favourites 4.50 (7/2) to win Euro 2016, which would be quite appropriate for them as this year marks the 20-year anniversary of their European triumph in England in 1996. Euro defending champions Spain 5.50 (9/2) are right behind Germany, per online sportsbook odds, however they are yet to find their true form. They were one of the best sides in the qualifying campaign leading up to the Euros, recording 9 wins and suffering only 1 loss, while netting 23 goals and conceding only 3 in the process. Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.

France seem to be enjoying themselves at the moment, putting on fine performances for their fans, despite the fact that Didier Deschamps has now twice left it late for them to grab a victory in their games. With the way they’re playing, we can easily see them reaching the final of the tournament, especially since they have home support on their side.

Online sportsbook Bet365 gives them odds of 7.00 (6/1) to finish as runner-ups in the competition, while achieving either a semi-final of quarter-final finish stands at both 4.33 (10/3). But we strongly doubt Didier Deschamps’ men will be eliminated in the earlier stages, unless, of course, Payet and Griezmann were to suffer suspensions or some ill-fated injuries. Bet on France at Euro 2016 with Bet365.