Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic has no preference over which side his team will face next at Euro 2016 after Sunday’s goalless draw against France that saw his men advance to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time.
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France coach Deschamps preferred to turn his attention to the rough state of the pitch, which cut up in places.
Deschamps will be hoping Payet can repeat that form for Les Bleus in their last-16 tie on Sunday afternoon.
But their Euro 2016 will now get a little more arduous.
They’re the tournament hosts through to the knockout stages of Euro 2016 but that hasn’t stopped France from partaking in extra matches.
The Lille pitch, beneath a retractable roof, still has to host an Italy v Ireland clash on Thursday (HK time), a last-16 fixture and a quarter-final.
Though Switzerland rode its luck on Sunday when shots by Paul Pogba and substitute Dimitri Payet both hit the woodwork, the team’s defense is well organized and Sommer has conceded only one goal in three matches.
“If the goalkeeper is man of the match it really tells you how it went”, Deschamps said, adding he had wanted a third win, but was content to have topped Group A. Pogba, much-criticised over a contentious gesture at the end of Wednesday’s win 2-0 against Albania, clearly felt he had a point to prove as he came out of the traps flying in a game played on an terrible surface.
“Lots of people expect a lot of him due to his status, but we know what he brings to the group, what he can do”, said the Newcastle midfielder.
“We’re all used to playing in tough championships, playing every three days”, said Payet. “We have a long week ahead of us and that will give us time to prepare”.
“Because there is not a big gap between the teams, it’s hard to score three or more goals”. He had also scuffed a first-half chance after Griezmann had set him up.
The ball struck Swiss centre-back Johan Djourou, sprawled on the French goal-line, and Pogba hacked clear.
Teenage striker Breel Embolo also slightly tore the back of his in the first half.
Switzerland began to find joy behind French full-backs Bacary Sagna and Patrice Evra in the second half, but the chances continued to fall to France.
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The game was a shocker but Alan Shearer thought that Sissoko was “brilliant” and used his strength against the Swiss, making a number of runs down the right.
