This time, no Hugo Lloris.
Nor even Steve Mandanda that journalists following the France team expected to see facing the microphones this Tuesday morning on the eve of the match against Tunisia.
If Deschamps assured that he would not be captain on Wednesday evening, it was Aurélien Tchouaméni who this time was invited to answer questions at a press conference.
A sequence that the middle of Real went through with humor.
What is Steve Mandanda's role in the band?
AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI.
Steve, he's a veteran, he's had a lot of experience, he doesn't hesitate to give advice before the match, he's an important person for our group.
Do you think Griezmann is the X factor of this France team?
He is a very great player, we are happy to have him with us.
It is essential in our system.
With Adrien and Antoine, we try to compensate when necessary, it leaves the possibility for others to project themselves.
We have a large volume of play, it allows us to close the gaps.
How do you approach this match against Tunisia?
To begin with, Tunisia is a very good team.
The match will be rough against an opponent who will do everything to win.
But even if we are qualified, we have to do everything to win, we have thousands of people who support us.
How do you feel at this sentry post?
It is sure that it is different from the role of torchbearer.
The sentinel post requires more sobriety because it is the one that ensures balance.
I have to restrain myself sometimes because I really want to go there (laughs).
But it's a role close to my heart.
If everyone holds their place, that's good.
What are the strengths of the Tunisian team that will be supported by many people...
It's a strong, rough, technical team that has the ability to put a lot of intensity into matches.
They have a lot of good players that I met in Ligue 1 like Palmer-Brown, Skiri, Sliti, Khazri.
There will also be a lot of supporters but it is to play this kind of match that we are here.
How do you use video in Blue?
It's an important tool in today's football, all coaches are fond of it.
We do it quite often, we know that we have a session scheduled before each match.
Afterwards, the coach can do individualized sessions with certain players.
It's interesting.
Who would you like to face in the Round of 16?
We don't have a preference, the most important thing is to focus on the match tomorrow (Wednesday) and finish first in the group.
In 8th grade, there are the best, so we won't have the right to hide.
Whether we face Argentina, Poland, Mexico... We won't hide.
Did you, like Didier Deschamps, detect in Camavinga a potential to play on the left side?
No, I hadn't detected Cama's skills as a left-back.
That's why I'm not a coach (laughs).
But he saw that he could help us in this position after Lucas injury.
We trust him, we know he has the physical, mental and technical qualities to hold the position.
We saw you recently on Instagram playing the piano.
Where does this come from?
I have never played a piano in my life.
I had learned this little “sound” in the last 24 hours... There are different poles at the hotel, we have the poker pole, the uno pole and the one devoted to music.
It's not bad, I hope we can do a concert before the end of the World Cup (laughs).
How is your partnership with Rabiot organized?
We don't have three-way discussions with the coach.
But with Adri, things are going very well, there is an alchemy that is created.
We are gaining momentum.
We are different but we have this ability to do more.
The deal is going really well.
Generally this pre-match conference is reserved for the players who matter.
Do you consider yourself the leader of this generation?
What does leader mean?
I have 16 selections, I store experience.
Of course, when we're at the table, there are a lot of guys I've played with.
So I'm not necessarily a leader, but I hope that I count a little in this team (laughs).
This is your first World Cup.
How is it different from other competitions?
I hadn't had the opportunity to hear a question in Arabic, for example.
The World Cup is different, we suspect it but until we taste it, we don't know what to expect.
For example, we had played Denmark in the League of Nations, but the intensity of our reunion Sunday in the World Cup had nothing to do.
And we expect it to be the same for all the other games.
It's really different.
Did you tell the coach your desire to play the third match?
All players want to play this game.
Personally, I would like to continue.
We'll see what he will do.
But I'm sure no one will tell him he doesn't want to play.
