Didier Deschamps Sticks with Winning Formula for Iraq Clash

Didier Deschamps is set to trust the formula that delivered France’s opening World Cup win, with L’Équipe indicating the France coach is not planning any major shake-up before Monday night’s meeting with Iraq.

Deschamps sticks with his core

France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal looked comfortable on the scoreboard, but it did not start that way. Les Bleus laboured through a sluggish first half against Les Lions de la Teranga, short on tempo and short on ideas. The interval came at the right time.

Inside the dressing room, Deschamps did what Deschamps does: reset the tone, sharpen the message, and demand more intensity. The response was immediate. France emerged after the break with a different edge, pressing higher, moving the ball quicker, and pinning Senegal back. Three goals later, the doubts around their start had been largely swept aside.

That second-half surge now serves as the reference point. Deschamps, never one for change for change’s sake, appears ready to double down on the side that finally clicked, rather than tinker on the back of a convincing result.

Clean bill of health, almost a full deck

The medical bulletin gives him every reason to stay loyal to his starters. No fresh fitness concerns surfaced from the win over Senegal, allowing Deschamps to prepare for Iraq with an almost complete squad at his disposal.

Malo Gusto and William Saliba remain under treatment for their individual issues, but their situations are being managed and are not linked to any new problems from the opener. Crucially, there have been no additional setbacks, no late complications to force his hand.

So the stage is set. A France side that found its stride after the break in game one now has the chance to impose that level from the first whistle against Iraq. Deschamps has his plan, he has his players, and, for now, he has no reason to deviate.