Portugal v France: UEFA EURO 2016 final preview
Didier Deschamps and his players are "privileged" to have made it to a home final against a Portugal side boosted by Pepe's fitness but needing to end a ten-game losing run if they are to lift a first major trophy.
- Portugal – eyeing a first major trophy – take on hosts France in UEFA EURO 2016 final
- France have won their last ten games against Portugal, a run dating back to 1975
- France coach Didier Deschamps: "We need to seize this opportunity"
- Les Bleus also won EURO '84 and 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil
- Portugal's Fernando Santos says his side have "great belief"
- Portugal defender Pepe expected to be declared fit to start
Possible line-ups
Portugal: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Adrien, João Mário, Renato Sanches; Nani, Ronaldo.
Doubtful: Pepe (thigh)
Pepe missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but trained on Saturday and "didn't express any complaints", according to Fernando Santos. William Carvalho is expected to replace Danilo in central midfield.
France: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud.
France should be unchanged, despite French media speculation about N'Golo Kanté being brought in to stiffen the midfield and whether Dimitri Payet should start after a quiet game in the semis.
Coach quotes
Fernando Santos, Portugal
I've said before that our objective was to play in the final and win it. We have great belief because we want to make the Portuguese people happy. We want to give them something to celebrate.
Fernando Santos, Portugal
I've said before that our objective was to play in the final and win it. We have great belief because we want to make the Portuguese people happy. We want to give them something to celebrate.
Didier Deschamps, France
We have this opportunity to become European champions. Whether you're 18, 20 or much older, there's a chance to win a title and we need to seize it without thinking about what might happen in the future. The players know they're privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.
We have this opportunity to become European champions. Whether you're 18, 20 or much older, there's a chance to win a title and we need to seize it without thinking about what might happen in the future. The players know they're privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.
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