Ahead of Euro semifinal, a bond forged amid Paris attacks

“Things are going in the right direction but the only thing that matters is what happens on the pitch and we’ll find out about that tomorrow”.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, 2nd left, leads the players running during the last training session of the German national football team at their base camp in Evian-Les-Bains, France, Wednesday, July 6, 2016.

“Of course they dominated against Iceland, but I believe we’ve found some of their weaknesses and we’ve discussed it with our players – I don’t want to reveal what they are, so let’s just try to surprise them”.

France coach Didier Deschamps has urged his players to make history by ending a 58-year wait to beat Germany and in doing so book their spot in the Euro 2016 final.

“Nobody can change history, but we have a new page to write”, Deschamps said.

Ronaldo is the first footballer to have played in the semifinals of three EURO championships.

All in all, France and Germany have faced each other on 27 occasions in which France won 12 times, Germany earned nine victories, while they drew in nine matches, however France has failed to defeat Germany in a championship game since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, when France won 6-3. “We have the ability to create danger”.

“Germany are used to hogging ball possession, they typically have more than the opposition but we can not play the match thinking only about defending and then catch them on the break”, he added. If they can blank Germany for the first 45 minutes, they will carry a lot of momentum into the second half and get stronger as the game wears on.

Prior to that, their only success on the worldwide stage was at Euro 1984, when Michel Platini inspired them to glory in another tournament staged in France. “I believe in them”.

“We haven’t done everything brilliantly thus far”.

“It’s wonderful. Incredible to be in the final, it defies description but we have earned this, we deserve the congratulations”.

Defeat to Germany in Brazil has helped France improve, according to Hugo Lloris.

“He is the reference point in this position”, he said.

“Paul Pogba needs tranquility around him and it’s hard because you [the media] talk about him every day”.

Asked if he had found the “real” Pogba again, Deschamps replied: “I didn’t lose him, and I didn’t find him again”.

“We’re going to be the toughest opponents France have had to face so far here”.

“We can’t match Germany in terms of their experience, the number of caps, the number of semifinals and finals they’ve been in, ” Deschamps said.

He took a risk on inexperienced Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is now one of the most consistent players in the side.

“It’s a really bitter blow when important players are sidelined at the crucial stage of the tournament”. It’s a semi-final, we’re very close to the end of the competition so people are exhausted, and ultimately the head will take over.