Deschamps anticipating difficult Euro 2024 group, but claims ´it´s not as bad as 2021´

France coach Didier Deschamps claimed “it’s not as bad as 2021” after Les Bleus discovered their Euro 2024 group-stage opponents.

Deschamps’ team were drawn into Group D during Saturday’s draw in Hamburg.

France will face Austria, the Netherlands – who they beat twice in qualifying – and one of Poland, Wales, Finland or Estonia.

Les Bleus disappointed at the delayed Euro 2020 in 2021, going out to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16.

That was after they edged through a challenging group which included Hungary, Germany and Portugal.

“It’s going to be difficult,” Deschamps told TMC.

“The pot three team we’ll be facing is the Netherlands. We won both our games against them [in qualifying] but it makes our group harder.

“We also faced Austria during the latest Nations League campaign and it was far from easy. We don’t know yet our last opponent. But it’s a difficult group.

“It’s not as bad as in 2021. But we need to be ready from the start. If everything goes our way, we may able to manage our third game, it will be for the best.”

Les Bleus have been drawn in alongside Austria, The Netherlands, and the winner of Pathof the play-offs!

What do you make of the draw? #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/7bYFRLt3ww

— French Team (@FrenchTeam) December 2, 2023