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Didier Deschamps Half Time World Cup Final Team Talk Was Simple And Effective

Didier Deschamps Half Time World Cup Final Team Talk Was Simple And Effective

With France leading by a slender margin in the World Cup final they needed clear and calm instructions and that's exactly what they got.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

The role of the manager isn't always fully appreciated, especially when a team is stacked full of world class talent, but at half-time in the World Cup final Didier Deschamps really earned his money.

When Pep Guardiola won the treble with Barcelona there were plenty of people suggesting they too could win with a team including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta without too much hassle.

Equally the Spaniards record breaking season with Manchester City is somewhat diminished in the eyes of some because of the talent and money that he has at his disposal at the Etihad, as if Sir Alex Ferguson, seen as the greatest manager of his time, didn't have a similar arsenal of weapons when he was dominating England's top tier.

Having good players helps but it's no guarantee of success. Image: PA Images
Having good players helps but it's no guarantee of success. Image: PA Images

One could suggest that Didier Deschamps should easily have won the World Cup with the squad he had and, by living up to those expectations, didn't really accomplish anything he shouldn't have anyway.

That would be highly unfair, especially as the 1998 World Cup winning captain had often been derided for being too negative and not good enough, including when they lost the Euro final to Portugal two years ago.

In a TFI France documentary Deschamps can be seen earning his pay with a brilliantly simple and effective half-time team talk that clearly worked:

Deschamps might not be saying too much revolutionary but there's no doubt that his words worked and had an effect on his players and the outcome of the match.

Though France went into the break 2-1 up they were perhaps a little lucky to do so with the controversial nature of at least on, if not both, of their goals and Croatia had dominated at least the opening 15 minutes of the game.

The manager's instructions led to both of France's second half goals as they eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

Getting the ball forward quickly to Mbappe worked a treat. Image: PA Images
Getting the ball forward quickly to Mbappe worked a treat. Image: PA Images

Pogba's decision to release the ball quickly to Mbappe on the wing led to his goal as he followed up the run perfectly whilst the PSG forward jinxed inside the box and found him on the edge of it.

Lucas Hernandez then found Mbappe as he became the first teenager to score a goal in the final of a World Cup since Pele.

Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Pogba's inputs at half time are also interesting and shows who the leaders are in the group and everyone keeps their heads calm throughout.

A really good insight and clearly Deschamps had a big impact on them winning the title. Pep Guardiola's quite good at management too.

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Topics: Football News, world cup final, Didier Deschamps, Croatia, World Cup news, World Cup, France