Deschamps Warns French Players Not to Under-estimate Switzerland

France boss Didier Deschamps has warned his players should not “under-estimate” Switzerland and is preparing to overcome mounting injuries in today’s Euro 2020 Championships last-16 tie.

Deschamps saw two left-backs – Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne – go off injured in their final group game against Portugal.

For Monday’s game in Bucharest, French media feel he will use a new formation.

It is thought Deschamps is considering a move to 3-5-2.

That would include Benjamin Pavard and midfielder Adrien Rabiot used as wing backs.

Deschamps – bidding to become the first man to win both the World Cup and European Championship as player and coach – has warned his side must simply “be at our best”.

“We mustn’t under-estimate them and it’s a knockout game so we’ll have to do everything we can to ensure we have smiles on our faces at the end of the match,” said Deschamps, 52.

“They’re a well-structured team and they have good attacking potential with Seferovic, Embolo and Shaqiri.”

France are unsure on the fitness of Digne and Hernandez, have lost Ousmane Dembele to a knee injury for the rest of the tournament, while Marcus Thuram and Thomas Lemar are also nursing injuries.

Juventus’ Rabiot is also carrying a knock but despite the mounting injuries, France are still big favourites to progress past a side who have not reached the last eight of a major tournament in 67 years. A quarter-final against Spain or Croatia awaits the winners.

Switzerland reached the quarter-finals as one of the best third-place finishers in the group stages.

A confidence-boosting win over Turkey last time out saw key players shine.

Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice and found good positions to register a game-high seven shots.

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka won possession eight times – a high for his side – while midfielder Steven Zuber became just the third player in European Championship history to register three assists in one game, joining Denmark legend Michael Laudrup and ex-Portugal playmaker Rui Costa.

Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic said: “In the past couple of years we had great performances against great sides. We need to play to our strengths. Against a side like France, if we both give 100%, it won’t be enough. They’ll have to give 80% and we need to make the most of it.”