Deschamps plays down Olise, Griezmann comparisons
Didier Deschamps refused to compare Michael Olise to Antoine Griezmann after the Bayern Munich man played a starring role in France's Nations League triumph over Croatia.
France was facing a 2-0 deficit from the first leg when the teams reconvened for a dramatic second instalment in their quarter-final tie in Paris.
A stunning Olise free-kick halved the arrears early in the second half before the former Crystal Palace midfielder turned creator for Ousmane Dembele's 80th-minute strike, which levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
Neither team could find an extra-time winner as the tie went to penalties, and Mike Maignan denied Martin Baturina and Josip Stanisic as Les Blues emerged 5-4 victors.
Olise played in a number 10 role with Griezmann absent due to an ankle injury – the Atletico Madrid icon had previously appeared in a record-breaking 84 consecutive games for France.
Deschamps said Olise's fine debut season with Bayern Munich, for which he has scored 13 goals and supplied 10 assists, had given him a newfound confidence.
"I'm happy for him, he was radiant. I know he has the quality. When I think there is potential, I insist," Deschamps said.
"Antoine, with everything he has done, you can't compare the players. Michael has a lot of qualities.
"There was a lot of bonding between him and the other attacking players. He has already progressed a lot at Bayern and this match will serve him well. Sometimes it takes a little time, you always have to give them trust."
Asked if the result provided a release after France was heavily criticised for its first-leg performance, Deschamps said: "No. But when I win, I'm always happy. Obviously the France team has quality players but there is still a lack of experience.
"We have to appreciate that, it must serve this group, which is a bit younger, for the next events."
France fielded a team with an average age of just 24 years and 254 days versus Croatia (including substitutes), its youngest in any game during Deschamps' 13-year reign.
Captain Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, said the result was much-needed after a run of just six wins in 14 matches (five draws, three defeats).
"We needed a match like this to get the crowd back with us. We wanted to create the most hostile climate possible, in accordance with the rules," Mbappe said.
"In Croatia, we felt that we were not at home. We're going to the final four now. There's a title at stake, we'll try to get it."
Mbappe also praised Maignan, who was not required to make a single save in the match but stayed alert to make two in the shoot-out.
"We know that with Mike, we start a shoot-out with an advantage. He makes a difference," Mbappe said.
Maignan said: "The goal is big so the first thing is to take as much space as possible on the line. Then it's a psychological battle with the shooter, you have to get in their head."
France will now meet reigning champion Spain in the Nations League semi-finals on 5 June, with Germany and Portugal facing off in the other tie.
