Deschamps warns France over pace problem after 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast

France lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up match in Nantes on Thursday, with Guela Doue and Amad Diallo overturning Rayan Cherki’s first-half opener to hand Les Bleus a pre-tournament setback. Didier Deschamps acknowledged his side were outrun after the break and cautioned that France would face similar opponents when their World Cup campaign opens against Senegal in New York on June 16.

Cherki’s goal had France in control at half-time, but the introduction of multiple substitutes coincided with a shift in momentum that Deschamps was candid about afterwards. “A defeat is never pleasant, even if we did some good things in the first half,” the France coach said. “In the second half we made a lot of changes but that’s no excuse. We were not as good after the break and they brought a lot of pace. We will face the same type of team on June 16.”

Deschamps also framed the result as a timely reality check for a squad widely regarded as one of the favourites for the tournament. “It’s a reminder, if we needed one, not to think we’re better than we are,” he said. Cherki echoed that sentiment, saying: “It’s a little warning, and I can tell you we’re not going to the World Cup thinking we’re favourites but we’re going to crush everyone.”

France fielded an experimental line-up, with several Paris Saint-Germain players rested following last weekend’s Champions League final. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni urged perspective, saying: “It’s a pity to lose but we’re in a preparation phase, we stay confident. There is no conclusion to draw from this game, even if we had won it. We will be ready.”

Defender Lucas Hernandez was similarly measured. “We always want to win but we’re in a phase of preparation and there were a lot of substitutions,” he said. “We’re in good spirits.”

The defeat does not alter France’s status as one of the leading contenders for the World Cup, but Deschamps’ pointed comments about pace and second-half intensity suggest he views the Ivory Coast performance as a genuine reference point rather than a result to be dismissed.