Deschamps: France must force Ukraine to crack

Didier Deschamps says his France side will have to run Ukraine into the ground if it is going to have any hope of qualifying for next summer's World Cup.

Les Bleus slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their playoff clash in Kiev on Friday, with Roman Zozulya and Andriy Yarmolenko netting for the hosts.

Deschamps is, therefore, well aware that France has much to do in Paris on Tuesday, but the former Juventus midfielder believes that if his men play at a high enough tempo, Ukraine could buckle under the pressure.

"We must condition the players. They need to get into the right frame of mind in the hours leading up the game," the 45-year-old coach told reporters. "We will play a game of very high level, put pressure on them and take into account that they will not come here just to defend. We must not dive into tackles but force the opponent to run so that maybe they will crack late in the game.

"We must put them under pressure from the start with great determination. We have to play with a high tempo from start to the end of the match."

In a boost for France, Deschamps was able to confirm that Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane (knee) is set to be fit to deputize for Laurent Koscielny, who was sent off in the first leg.

"Raphae's recovery went well," the former Juventus coach said. "Everything leads me to believe he will be available."