Deschamps wary of Iceland threat
Both France coach Didier Deschamps and his captain Hugo Lloris insist the hosts will not underestimate the threat of Iceland when the nations meet in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 on Sunday night.
Outsiders Iceland have progressed to the last eight after upsetting England in the previous round, having advanced through Group F in second spot.
The tournament debutants are yet to lose a game but will again be long shots to beat France at the Stade de France.
Les Bleus came from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland last Sunday and have still yet to truly hit top gear as they look to claim their third European Championship crown.
The last time the sides met, before Euro 2012, France came from two goals behind at half-time to win 3-2 and Deschamps insists they know Iceland pose a threat.
"We have a lot of respect for everything Iceland have achieved and are achieving at the moment," he said at his pre-match press conference.
"They have a team which includes players from the Premier League and they're not small-time players. They're not here by chance.
"They've not stolen anything to get to this point. They've done great things and they deserved to beat England in the last 16 because of what they produced on the pitch."
Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris echoed his coach's comments and has called on the side to stay unified as they look to reach the last four.
"We definitely have a lot more players who play at top European club sides than Iceland and we have a touch more experience," he said.
"But, since the start of the competition, they've proved to be a very surprising outfit.
"Through a simple style of play, they focus on their strengths and have caused top sides like Portugal and England problems.
"If we go out there thinking, 'we have more talent so we'll win', we won't. We need to match them for commitment and motivation and then hope our own teamwork does the talking."
Adil Rami scored the third and final goal in that friendly match four years ago but the Sevilla defender is banned this time around, with Leicester's N'Golo Kante also missing through suspension.
And Deschamps has sung the praises of uncapped centre-back Samuel Umtiti, with the Barcelona-bound 22-year-old set to deputise for Rami.
Deschamps said: "Samuel is still a young player, but he has a lot of experience because he's already played in the Champions League with Lyon and was an under-20 world champion with France.
"If he is moving to the club he is supposed to be, that's not by chance either. He's strong in the challenge, technically gifted playing the ball out of defence and already a top-class defender."