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Deschamps talks up fresh faces and three points in Euro 2020 qualifier against Andorra

France take on Andorra in Tuesday night's Euro 2020 qualifier expecting to maintain their dominance of Group H while offering a chance to fringe players in the national squad.

Didier Deschamps won the World Cup with France in 1998 as a player and 20 years later as a coach.
Didier Deschamps won the World Cup with France in 1998 as a player and 20 years later as a coach. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
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Didier Deschamps' men lead Turkey and Iceland on goal difference following the 4-1 annihilation of Albania on 7 September.

But even though Albania lie more than 130 places below them in the rankings, Deschamps said he had cautioned his World Cup winners against complacency.

"Three points against Andorra have the same value as three points against Albania," said Deschamps. "We're confident and relaxed but that doesn't stop us from being focused and determined."

When France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow in July 2018, Deschamps became the third man after Mario Zagallo and Franz Becknebauer to win the trophy as a player and as a coach.

"We have to be ready to step up and achieve what we want to achieve," added Deschamps who led France to the final of Euro 2016.

Landmark

The fixture at the Stade de France just outside Paris will be the 100th game at the venue since its inauguration for the 1998 World Cup.

"It's a stadium that gives the players positive vibes," said France skipper Hugo Lloris, who will win his 113th cap on Tuesday night.

"There'll be 60,000 spectators and we really want to give a good performance and make them happy."

Last June, Wissam Ben Yedder, Florian Thauvin and Kurt Zouma all scored their first international goals as France strolled to a 4-0 win in Andorra.

Changes

Of the troika, Zouma could feature in the starting line-up after solid performances for Chelsea in the English Premier League and Ben Yedder has been touted as a replacement for Olivier Giroud who scored his 36th international goal in the triumph over Albania.

At the back, Deschamps is expected to draft in Léo Dubois and Lucas Digne on the right and left respectively in place of Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez.

"It's logical that there will be some fresh faces," added Deschamps. "Even if the 11 who played on Saturday want to play again. But we have to give a run-out to the others in the squad."

  
  

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