France ended their last group stage match with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. However, Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was all praise for star man Paul Pogba as the Juventus midfielder put in a markedly improved performance.
Pogba was dropped from the starting XI for the Albania match after failing to impress in the opening game against Romania. However, the 23-year-old improved his game after being reinstated to the starting lineup.
“Paul [Pogba] was the game’s life force during the first half – he’s got a great shot on him, he was our heart and soul,” Deschamps was quoted as saying on UEFA’s official website. “He didn’t get forward as much in the second half but he’s a player with huge potential and I’ve got great faith in him. We need Paul Pogba at the top level.”
Although they would be disappointed not to get the win against Switzerland, France merely needed a draw to secure their position at the top of Group A. Deschamps said that the fact that the French needed a draw worked in their favour, but he also conceded that his side need to improve if they want to go deeper into the tournament.
“We always have room for improvement.” said Deschamps. “That’s important at this moment in time, because this result suited us. We had four good chances. Switzerland were better on the ball at times without threatening too much.
“In terms of our plans it was very, very important to finish first in the group. It’s very good; clearly there are things to improve on, but I’ve seen virtually every match in this competition and all sides have had tricky games.”
Of ripped shirts and punctured balls
The game between France and Switzerland might have ended with a drab 0-0 scoreline, but there was no shortage of entertainment for the fans on the night. Switzerland’s shirt sponsors will not be too satisfied with the outcome of the match, as three players had their shirts ripped in separate incidents. In fact, Granit Xhaka, who has recently signed for Arsenal, had his shirt torn twice.
Granit Xhaka’s SECOND ripped shirt of the game makes that 4 in total for #SUI tonight.
What is going on out there? pic.twitter.com/eHVOJbPcWc
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 19, 2016
Granit Xhaka’s first half by numbers
90% pass accuracy
3 aerial duels won
2 tackles won
1 ripped shirtTop display pic.twitter.com/wESezftKky
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 19, 2016
what a crazy game never seen so many ripped shirts at once #FRASUI
— andrea (@bigmoosehes) June 19, 2016
The French side must really want Xhaka’s shirt. 2 ripped shirts.
— Arsenal News ⚽️ (@__arsenalnews_) June 19, 2016
Xhaka ripped everyone apart , even his shirt
— Anes (@OzilTurn) June 19, 2016
“He ripped off my shirt to get out of my pocket” pic.twitter.com/NxybpSZYrT
— Granit Xhaka (@GrantXhaka) June 19, 2016
That was far from the only strange incident during the match though, as Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami punctured the ball while attempting to tackle Antoine Griezmann just outside the Swiss penalty area.
Sponsors… look away. The match ball burst too! At least #FRA and #SUI hopes are still intact. #punctured #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/BDi7mJnToo
— ST Sports Desk (@STsportsdesk) June 19, 2016
What’s going on? Multiple ripped shirts, a punctured ball…all we need now is someone’s shorts to fall down & we’ve got the whole set!
— Spencer FC (@SpencerOwen) June 19, 2016
The punctured ball and the ripped shirts were the highlight of an otherwise average game.
If it wasn’t for the shirt-ripping & punctured ball, that game would have been a total waste #SWIFRA
— Adrienne Marrone (@oz_scriptwriter) June 19, 2016
