Deschamps says Leao ‘needs to be controlled well’ ahead of Euro 2024 clash with Portugal | OneFootball

France coach Didier Deschamps has praised AC Milan winger Rafael Leao ahead of his country’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Portugal.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia (via Calciomercato.com), Deschamps was asked about two players that could have a big impact on the game this evening.

The match will see Milan duo Leao and Theo Hernandez come up against each other, albeit likely on opposite flanks, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.

It is clear that Deschamps is not in the dark as to the threat that Leao poses to his team, admitting that he has watched some Milan games to get a look at Hernandez, as well as Mike Maignan, and has therefore seen Leao in action.

“I followed Milan carefully during the past season, I had several French players to evaluate and so I was also able to see Leao, who I know well. Theo also knows him well because at Milan they play in the same area of ​​the pitch, Leao is a player who needs to be controlled well, he has power and speed, he can create danger,” Deschamps said.

This quarter-final features Milan’s three biggest remaining representatives at the tournament, whilst Tijjani Reijnders and Noah Okafor are still at the tournament and fighting for a place in the semi-finals against Turkey and England respectively.

Neither Portugal nor France have been as impressive on the pitch as many would have predicted before the tournament, and one of them will be going home after the day’s action which means at least one Milan player will be closer to returning to the first-team setup.