Euro 2016 - France v Germany: Hosts challenged to make an impression

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jonas Hector and Mario Goetze, from left, attend the last training session of the German national football team at their base camp in Evian-Les-Bains, France on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Deschamps has no doubt the Germans, two years on from being crowned world champions, remain the best team around – indeed, he feels they have given the “best impression” of any side at the tournament so far.

But he also has great faith in the ability of his men, who are looking to emulate the achievements of the France sides of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 1984 by winning a finals they are hosting.

Speaking yesterday at his press conference to preview the match in Marseille, Deschamps – France’s captain for the 1998 triumph and for when they won the European Championships two years later – said: “No one can change history, but there are some new chapters to be written and the players can write them.

“This page is currently blank and they need to fill it tomorrow.

“The players have belief in themselves.

“We know who the opposition are. They are still the best side in the world – but we’re really going to give it everything.

“Germany are used to dominating the opposition, but we can’t simply go out there thinking about defending before trying to catch them out.

“We have an opportunity and we want to play to the best of our ability, with all the respect we have for the Germans.

“They are the reigning world champions and the side who have given the best impression over their first five matches.

“But we’re here and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got, with our qualities and attributes.”