Deschamps Responds To PSG Criticism After Injuries To Dembele And Doue

‎France coach, Didier Deschamps, defended his staff’s handling of Ousmane Dembélé and Deschamps’ own fitness after both Paris Saint-Germain players were injured on international duty, following criticism from the European champions.

‎”It’s sad for Ousmane and for Desire of course, because of their injuries, and we’re losing two important players for tomorrow’s match,” Deschamps told reporters on Monday.

‎”But we did things professionally and progressively, as we always do with all the players, taking into account their own feelings.”

‎PSG slammed the French Football Federation after Ousmane Dembele suffered a hamstring injury and Desire Doue picked up a calf problem in Friday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine.

‎The club accused the FFF of ignoring medical advice and labelled the injuries “serious and avoidable.”

‎The Ligue 1 champions said they had submitted medical information before the training camp began and called for a more transparent protocol with the FFF to protect players in the future.

‎Deschamps pushed back against suggestions of conflict between club and country.

‎”This concerns two PSG players,” he said. “But PSG are not our opponent clubs have never been. I’ve been on the other side of that fence myself. Our only opponent is Iceland, and that’s tomorrow.”

‎Dembele is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks, while Doué faces about four weeks out; both will miss PSG’s Champions League opener against Atalanta later this month.

‎France hosts Iceland in Paris on Tuesday in Group D.