Didier Deschamps admits Colombia taught France a lesson in comeback win



Posted Saturday, March 24, 2018 by PA

Didier Deschamps admits Colombia taught France a lesson in comeback win

France coach Didier Deschamps warned that his side had been given “a lesson in aggression” after blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Colombia in a friendly in Paris.

Deschamps’ side appeared to be cruising after Olivier Giroud and Thomas Lemar had them 2-0 up after 26 minutes, but Luis Muriel quickly pulled one back and Radamel Falaco levelled just after the hour.

With five minutes left, a foul by Samuel Umtiti gave Colombia a penalty which Juan Fernando Quintero dispatched.

It was a swift reversal of fortunes, and Deschamps said his players had only themselves to blame.

“We had a lot of problems,” Deschamps said in quotes reported by L’Equipe. “They showed much more aggression, we did not at all. We gave away the ball to put them back in control.

“This Colombian team gave us a lesson in aggression, they would not let go. I cannot be happy, especially with the second half, but we must take time to analyse.

“We have not met the high standards we must. We have no excuses. When you lose at home it’s never fun.”

France defender Raphael Varane told broadcaster TF1 the team had been guilty of relaxing after going 2-0 up.

“We lacked concentration at times,” he said. “We started very well, scoring two goals, then we relaxed. There were also individual errors…

“We had mastered the start but we must be able to be consistent for 90 minutes.”

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman believes his side showed their preparations for the World Cup are going well.

“My team showed great character,” he said. “This is very important in preparation for Russia.

“The first half was difficult. It is not easy to come to this stadium as the away team and France showed their best face, that of candidates to win the World Cup.

“But we understood what we needed to do to show the best Colombia team and in the second half we were better with our movement and positions to improve our confidence.”

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