Deschamps: France Cannot Underestimate Switzerland

France coach Didier Deschamps has warned against underestimating Switzerland ahead of their Euro 2020 last-16 tie on Monday.

The world champions are firm favourites to progress in Bucharest, but Deschamps – who must overcome a number of injury problems – argued that Vladimir Petkovic’s side are better than they are being given credit for.

“It’s not a potential banana skin,” he said. “It’s a Round of 16 match with a quarter-final place at stake. We were favourites before the competition but both me and my players are aware of the quality of this Swiss team.

“They have strengths and are capable of good things. They’re not 13th in the FIFA rankings for nothing. That’s down to the team and their coach, Petkovic, who has done very good work in his time in charge.”

Deschamps lost two left-backs – Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne – to injury as their final group game against Portugal finished in a 2-2 draw.

The coach indicated that Digne along with Marcus Thuram and Jules Kounde would miss Monday’s match through injury.

Though Hernandez was not among the players training on Sunday evening, Deschamps indicated that he expected the Bayern Munich man to be fit.

Even if Hernandez is available, there has been speculation that Deschamps could shift to a 3-5-2 formation – with Benjamin Pavard and Adrien Rabiot candidates to be used as wing-backs.