France coach Deschamps keen to avoid Portugal and Ronaldo

Didier Deschamps hopes France can avoid Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo when the draw for the eight-team European zone play-off to decide who goes to the World Cup next summer in Brazil takes place in Zurich.

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Didier Deschamps hopes France can avoid Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo when the draw for the eight-team European zone play-off to decide who goes to the World Cup next summer in Brazil takes place today in Zurich.

France, who won the competition in 1998 and were runners-up in 2006, were placed in the second group of seeds for the draw, and will face Portugal, Greece, Croatia or Ukraine.

France beat Portugal 1-0 on their way to reaching the final in 2006.

“It’s legitimate to say Portugal [are the team they want to avoid], because they have Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s a great player and a big influence,” Deschamps said.

“But playing Greece, Croatia or Ukraine, they’re more based round teamwork, but not easier or simpler to play.”

Sweden, Romania and Iceland are the other teams in the second pool with France, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Sweden forward, said he is confident he and his teammates would be playing in Brazil.

The Swedes finished as runners-up in Group C, behind Germany, losing their final game 5-3 to the Germans.

“I am not worried,” said Ibrahimovic, who was suspended for the Germany defeat. “In the play-offs, we will have two completely different games.”

Erik Hamren, the Sweden coach, added: “There are some good teams in the pot, but we will do all we can to realise our dream of going to the World Cup.”

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