France coach Didier Deschamps challenges Michael Olise to play leading role at World Cup

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] winger and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Kylian Mbappe[/a] were joined in a fearsome attack by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doue-desire/KIUWH2Jq/"]Desire Doue[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dembele-ousmane/zsMC2Ec0/"]Ousmane Dembele[/a]. The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a] pair had been rested for the previous friendly - a loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ivory-coast/G2FRjBgn/"]Ivory Coast[/a] - after winning the Champions League.[/p][p]But [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olise-michael/E5pvwqkK/"]Olise[/a] shone brightest, drilling home rebounds just before and just after half-time before curling in a superb shot from outside the area to finish off the visitors after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kelly-patrick/G2P41HZ2/"]Patrick Kelly[/a] had pulled a goal back.[/p][p][b]"We'll need a Michel Olise at that level,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/deschamps-didier/M9jPX2nf/"]Deschamps[/a] said. [b]"Michael stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us."[/b][/p][p][b]"He has achieved some really great things, he is full of confidence. He also has the ability to put in the effort, which is remarkable,"[/b] Deschamps said.[/p][embed guid="155756a4-896c-4f80-9b55-83b947a24621" url="https://x.com/equipedefrance/status/2064090256031260687" social-type="twitter" /][p]Another Champions League finalist, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saliba-william/EgIM3sB7/"]William Saliba[/a] of losers [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a], showed he has shaken off an injury scare as he returned to give [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] a look similar to how they could line up for their [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=ALxYcMw2"]World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16th.[/a][/p][p]The French, though, were frequently disjointed in attack, with skipper Mbappe, who needs one goal to equal [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/giroud-olivier/AJPBp2as/"]Olivier Giroud[/a]'s scoring record, often looking lacklustre.[/p][p]Yet they still pressed the packed Northern Irish defence, forcing desperate blocks and loose clearances.[/p][p]Although the Lille stadium roof was kept closed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/northern-ireland-lQADNSWu/?mid=h6AZ5xIP"]on a chilly and damp evening[/a], play was stopped for drinks breaks in the middle of each half to help Les Bleus prepare in every detail for the World Cup.[/p][p]France, who leave for their training base near Boston on Wednesday, will also face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a] in Philadelphia and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a] in Foxborough outside Boston in Group I.[/p][infobox id="223b89ff-ddb8-4772-8cfb-8f89aea85267" /]