France coach Didier Deschamps has insisted his side will not willingly cede possession to Spain in their World Cup semifinal, while confirming Kylian Mbappe's full availability for the crucial fixture.
"Spain can apply a lot of pressure, but we are also a team who need the ball," Deschamps told reporters on Monday. "There will be a battle for control."
Spain have built their run to the last four around their ability to dominate the ball, press opponents deep into their own half and control the rhythm of matches. France possess the pace to hurt them on the break, but Deschamps rejected the idea that his side would be content merely to defend and wait for transitions.
Midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery said France's range of qualities gave them several ways to approach the contest. "Spain have great quality on the ball. We have the qualities to attack quickly on the counter, to keep possession ourselves and to defend well," he said.
France's prospects of competing in the central areas have been strengthened by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who last played in the 3-0 round of 32 victory over Sweden on June 30. He missed the last two games with a hamstring problem. Deschamps said the 26-year-old Real Madrid midfielder had not yet fully recovered but was available for selection.
France captain Kylian Mbappe did not complete Monday's final training session after suffering a minor ankle injury during the quarterfinal win over Morocco. The injury is not expected to prevent him from playing on Tuesday. "Kylian is fine," Deschamps said.
Deschamps could retain the midfield configuration that carried France past Morocco, with Manu Kone alongside Adrien Rabiot. Zaire-Emery provides another option in an area likely to determine whether Spain can impose their familiar rhythm.
Spain's possession game is designed not only to create openings but also to exhaust opponents by shifting the ball repeatedly from one side to the other. Full-back Jules Kounde said France would need possession of their own to disrupt that pattern.
Deschamps believes France's experience of recent major tournaments will help them manage those different phases, although he insisted past meetings with Spain offered no guarantee of how Tuesday's match would develop. Spain eliminated France in the Euro 2024 semifinals before beating them again in the Nations League last four in 2025.
"There are no particular lessons," Deschamps said. "There was one truth in those matches, with the players who were present on both sides at that time. The players are different now, and they are not necessarily at the same level of form."
France's attacking threat has been led by Mbappe, the tournament's top scorer. However, the semifinal may hinge on whether Deschamps' midfield can prevent Spain from monopolising the ball and still provide the forwards with enough service.
Source: www.aljazeera.com