France manager Didier Deschamps is determined to reshape the culture of the team when they travel for Wednesday’s friendly against Italy.
Deschamps, who has guided France to two wins, two draws and one loss since his appointment in July, believes his charges are undisciplined and spoilt.
“What is lacking in the French players? Order, respect, rules? All of this. In France, players have too much freedom,” he told Tuttosport.
“The clubs must be stronger, as in Italy, the great teams like Juventus and AC Milan have always done that.”
His outburst came just days after winger Franck Ribery told Sky Sports that his Bundesliga club Bayern Munich is more important to him than playing for France.
“I have been at Bayern for six years,” he said. “Here it is always good, here I am happy and here it’s fun. That is more important for me than the national team.”
Italy, on the other hand, must adhere to a strict disciplinary code under manager Cesare Prandelli.
Daniele De Rossi scored in Italy’s last two World Cup qualifiers but was dropped for disciplinary reasons after being sent off for punching Lazio’s Stefano Mauri in Roma’s 3-2 Serie A loss on Sunday.
De Rossi apologised to Mauri after the match but was left out in favour of fellow midfielder Alessandro Florenzi, who has been called up for the first time.
Deschamps has made few changes to the squad that earned a 1-1 draw in last month’s World Cup qualifier against Spain.
Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and Lille winger Dimitri Payet have been recalled, though Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri was overlooked once again for the clash in Parma.
