Deschamps rules out French revenge on Germany for 1982 World Cup

France coach Didier Deschamps on Tuesday rules out that his players would seek revenge on Germany in their World Cup quarter-final match for Les Bleus' defeat against West Germany in the 1982 semi-final.

2 July 2014, 10:53am

1 min read

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama cannot save the ball before Paul Pogba (back-R) will score the 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, 30 June 2014. Photo by: EPA/DENNIS SABANGAN

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Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (dpa) - France coach Didier Deschamps on Tuesday ruled out that his players would seek revenge on Germany in their World Cup quarter-final match for Les Bleus' defeat against West Germany in the 1982 semi-final.

"Most of my players were not even born then," Deschamps said of the semi-final in Spain 32 years ago, which West Germany won on penalties after making a dramatic comeback from 3-1 down. "What am I supposed to tell them? I was 14 then."

Many French fans have not forgiven German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher for a brutal challenge on Patrick Battiston, which went unpunished, in that game. The forward, having lost two teeth, had to be substituted with concussion.

France won 2-0 against Nigeria on Monday to set up a quarter-final match on Friday against Germany, who won their last-16 game against Algeria 2-1 in extra-time later that day.