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Agence France-Presse

Didier Deschamps’ France will be wary of falling victim to the same trap that ensnared England as the Euro 2016 hosts take on rank outsiders Iceland for a place in the semi-finals on Sunday.
France are vying for a record-equalling third European Championship title and go into their quarter-final as overwhelming favourites against a country with a population of just 330,000.
But Iceland, playing at their first major finals, have blown away any notion they were simply in France to make up the numbers.
The North Atlantic island nation held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening group game, then sent Austria home with a last-gasp 2-1 victory before stunning England by the same scoreline in the last 16.
France coach Deschamps, who lifted the Euro 2000 trophy as France captain, said the hosts would not be underestimating their opponents.

“The players know that Iceland aren’t here by chance. If they’re here it’s because they deserve to be and have quality,” he said.
“Iceland deserved to beat England, and they did it through the quality of their play.”
Iceland are hoping to imitate Wales by reaching the last four on their tournament debut, but France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was quick to rule out any complacency from Les Bleus.
“We didn’t need to see the Wales result to know you need to be careful of every side in the competition,” he said.
“There have been surprises right from the outset of this tournament.”
France needed late goals to overcome Romania and Albania in the group stage, while Antoine Griezmann rescued Les Bleus as they rallied after falling behind in the second minute against the Republic of Ireland in the last round.

And defender Bacary Sagna warned his team-mates they will eventually be “punished” if they fail to address their tendency to start matches slowly as they head into the latter stages.
With Adil Rami suspended, Deschamps is set to hand 22-year-old Barcelona-bound Samuel Umtiti his international debut alongside Laurent Koscielny in defence.
N’Golo Kante is also serving a one-match ban with Kingsley Coman, Moussa Sissoko and Yohan Cabaye all candidates to replace the energetic Leicester City midfielder.
Having plotted Iceland’s incredible rise alongside former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback, co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is again keen to look at his side’s limited expectations as an advantage.
“There is a big difference in the pressure on Iceland and on France,” said Hallgrimsson.

“France cannot lose the game, it would be horrible for the French nation. But the Icelandic people would be happy if we get a good performance against France.
“You dream big. But we are realistic, we can play the best game of our lives and still lose against France.”
Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson is set to start in midfield after overcoming a back problem that had restricted him in training.
“I feel well, I had a training session yesterday and this morning. I can’t wait for the game tomorrow, everyone else trained with us so everyone’s fit and ready,” he told reporters on Saturday.

Gunnarsson will have the daunting task of trying to contain Juventus star Paul Pogba, but the Cardiff City midfielder is looking forward to the challenge.
“Playing against bigger teams is always going to be tough, but you’re in this to test yourselves. It’s going to be a big test for us, but we’re ready for it,” said Gunnarsson.
“I feel better and better after each game that passes, the games get bigger and bigger but somehow the pressure isn’t on us. We can approach these games a bit more relaxed than our opponents.”


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Hosts France wary of becoming the next Iceland scalp at Euro 2016

French national soccer team head coach Didier Deschamps leads his team's training session . EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Coaches Lars Lagerbaeck, right, and Haimir Hallgrimsson attend a training session of Iceland's national soccer team at their base camp in Annecy, France, Thursday, June 30, 2016. Iceland will face France in a Euro 2016 quarterfinal match in Paris on Sunday, July 3, 2016.(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

epa05403918 Iceland's captain Aron Gunnarsson gestures during a press conference at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, 02 July 2016. Iceland will face France in the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match in Saint-Denis on 03 July 2016. EPA/UEFA (Handout photo provided by UEFA. Only editorial use relating to the event described is permitted. Photo may be distributed to third parties to use for the same purpose provided that no charge is made) HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES/NO ARCHIVES

France's players attend a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, southwest of Paris, on July 2, 2016, on the eve of the Euro 2016 quarter-final football match between France and Iceland. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

France's Paul Pogba stretches during a training session of the French national team at the Clairefontaine training center, outside Paris, France, Saturday, July 2, 2016. France will face Iceland in a Euro 2016 quarter final soccer match in Saint-Denis on Sunday, July 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Iceland's fans cheer during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between England and Iceland. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

TOPSHOT - England manager Roy Hodgson addresses a press conference in Chantilly, northern France, on June 28, 2016, after his resignation following the team's 2-1 defeat to Iceland during the Euro 2016 football tournament. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

TOPSHOT - (LtoR) England's defender Gary Cahill, England's goalkeeper Joe Hart and England's midfielder Dele Alli react after the Euro 2016 round of 16 football match between England and Iceland at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 27, 2016. Iceland won the match 1-2. / AFP PHOTO / Valery HACHE

TOPSHOT - Iceland's midfielder Aron Gunnarsson and team mates celebrate after the Euro 2016 round of 16 football match between England and Iceland at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 27, 2016. Iceland won the match 1-2. / AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND LANGLOIS

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