France coach Didier Deschamps said he saw his team exhausted in the first half after their 3-1 home defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
The “Les Bleus” got off to a lively start, taking the lead 14 seconds into the game when Bradley Barcola intercepted the ball from Giovani Di Lorenzo and fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, it was Italy who gradually improved until three goals in a row from Federico Di Marco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori ended up losing the first leg, with Deschamps admitting he saw his team run out of steam in the first half.
“We started very well, scored and put pressure on Italy well. It was difficult to keep the pressure and the intensity high, so even before half-time we saw a physical decline. We made mistakes that allowed Italy to equalise,” Deschamps told Ufabet Sport.
“In trying to press high up, we opened up more space and Italy attacked us with their forwards pushing up. Without a strong block, it was difficult for us.”
“Italy defends very well and we have great attacking players, UFABET but you have to be careful when you open up spaces like that, otherwise they can attack you.”