French national team coach Didier Deschamps appeared in a press statement after qualifying for the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, winning on penalties against Croatia, after losing 2-0 in the first leg and winning by the same score in the second leg.

Deschamps said: "This qualification means a lot to this group, especially after the comments we've heard in recent days. We had everything we needed after the first leg, even though we couldn't score. We turned things around and played an extremely high-level match tonight against a very good Croatian team. Logic would suggest that we shouldn't have reached penalties, but we smiled again with high quality in front of 80,000 spectators, and it was important to make them support us. We delivered a fantastic performance with young players who have less experience, but this will be an important match for them in their development."

Regarding Michael Olise: "Michael has many good qualities. He has gone through more complicated periods until today, but he has made significant progress at his club. He has been outstanding in his record, and that is his credit. Sometimes it takes time; you have to trust him. He has built a lot of rapport with the other three attacking players. His direct free kicks, his technical touch, I’m happy for him, and this indicates more matches to come because he will be confident."

About Désiré Doué: "I knew what he was capable of doing with his club. Above all, he shouldn't change, whether on the pitch or off it. He really has it all; he is mature at the age of nineteen. Everything is well framed, and it’s not surprising because many young French players arrive early and are in the working world. There are other young players with potential."

On Kylian Mbappe's absence from scoring in the last seven matches with the national team: "He is brilliant; Kylian has been a great captain since the beginning of the week, with very precise statements on and off the pitch, a lot of enthusiasm and determination, and he was the leader in preparing for this match as well. He has gone through a tough period, and we won't repeat it, but he has taken responsibility brilliantly after Lloris and Varane following the 2022 World Cup. He is a great player and has been a fantastic captain during this camp."