Comparisons
France coach fires warning ahead of Euro 2020 opener
Didier Deschamps has attempted to play down the hype surrounding his France side going to the European Championship, warning those who think they “have already won” that plenty of hard work lies ahead. The 2018 World Cup winners are favourites to land this summer’s tournament, with Deschamps possessing a hugely talented squad with depth in all areas. That has understandably caused excitement among the supporters across the country, something Deschamps is keen to temper before the big kick-off. Asked whether not winning the tournament would be considered a failure given the talent at his disposal, Deschamps told Mundo Deportivo: “Right away there is talk of failure. We are world champions. I am aware, and the players are too, of our strengths. “We have quality, talent, high-level players, b...
Michel Platini: Paulo Dybala is more Maradona
Getty Images Michel Platini has hailed Paulo Dybala for matching his Serie A stats with Juventus but considers him more ‘Maradona-esque’ than like him. Dybala now sits on 157 appearances and 68 goals for Juve in the top flight, putting him on par with the numbers Platini recorded between 1982 and 1987. “Avvocato [Gianni Agnelli] is no longer with us so I can’t make him say things he might not have, but yes… if he liked Sivori, I think he’d have appreciated Dybala greatly,” the Frenchman told Gazzetta dello Sport. “The Argentine’s very good on the pitch and he’s fresh-faced. He comes across as a likeable lad. “It’s interesting that he’s matched me for goals and appearances in Serie A. Figures are one thing, but we’re different players. “I always try to avoid comparisons, but I can say that ...
