He has very specific qualities – Deschamps praises Giroud

Didier Deschamps saluted the performance of Olivier Giroud after he helped France claim a 1-0 win over Peru.

Giroud only appeared from the bench in France’s World Cup opener against Australia on Saturday, with a head injury behind Deschamps’ decision to leave him out of the starting XI.

However, France’s forwards lacked cohesion in the game and struggled to make a telling impact, despite going on to record a 2-1 triumph.

Giroud’s return to the team was by no means a surprise and he offered a focal point for France, combining well with his attacking colleagues in the first half as he played a part in the only goal of the game.

And Deschamps has no doubt his team are better off with the Chelsea striker in the side.

“He’s our best scorer, he’s very often in the team,” Deschamps told reporters.

“He has very specific qualities. He was very good and the players around him, like [Antoine] Griezmann who is used to playing with him, they had a lot of exchanges, passes together.

“Giroud was very good in the first match. He doesn’t always succeed, but as I said its often when he isn’t on the pitch we realise how useful he is to the team.”

Kylian Mbappe scored the deciding goal and Deschamps was pleased with the forward’s performance – and insisted the impressive N’Golo Kante would not be bothered at missing out on the Man of the Match award.

“He [Mbappe] is young, he’s scored a goal in the World Cup,” Deschamps said. “He’s got great qualities.

“He did what he had to do. He did what he had to do as far as the team’s play is concerned. I’m very satisfied with what he did today.

“Kante had a great game, he was free in the system. I’m not the person who decides man of the match, but usually it’s someone who scores. I don’t think N’Golo’s interested in winning it, he’s more interested in what he can give to the team, even if he’s not in the limelight.”