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Image source, Rex Features

The France boss is asked how he and his players feel because of the virus in their camp and whether it has disrupted their preparation.

"I am absolutely fine," says Deschamps.

"As for the players, I left the camp quite early this morning so they were all still asleep. I haven't had any recent updates.

"We are trying to manage this situation as well as we can and remain calm and focused. I'll get some more information today and I'll think about that tonight, and even tomorrow. We're looking forward to this important game."

And with that Hugo Lloris departs but stick around for more from Didier Deschamps.

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Image source, Reuters

Lloris is again asked about Lionel Messi:

"I believe the event is too massive to just be focused on one player. It is a final between two big nations in football.

"Obviously when you face that type of player you need a special focus on him, but it is not only about him.

"They are a strong team with a lot of talented players. They have a young generation of players and you can feel they are all dedicated to Lionel Messi, but we will try and find the key to get the success."

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Has the virus helped in the French camp helped team spirit?

Hugo Lloris: "In the past we have already proved that French teams, that have been successful, have always based that success on a strong team spirit.

"We try to draw from that. There has been a very good feeling in the camp since the start of the tournament and there is no reason why that shouldn't be seen again tomorrow.

"There is always uncertainty about the outcome and we're going to try and do our best despite the circumstances. I think the adrenaline and excitement that we'll feel will mean we're all fit enough to do everything we can to win this last battle."

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More from Lloris, on France's style and whether they have the same plan for Argentina: "In a World Cup you need to be ready to play defensively at times and get through those tough challenges in a match. You have to adapt. We were facing world class teams and that was true against Morocco and England.

"I thought in the second half that we dropped back too much personally, but that was also due to a good performance from Morocco.

"In the match tomorrow we will try and respect our game plan. We are still looking at the team formation and how to prepare for the game. Things always happen in a match that you're not necessarily prepared for and that is where you need to show a good team spirit and you also need to have that feeling of pulling out all of the stops and digging deep in those tough moments.

"It is true that we are good on the break because we have some very quick players in attack but really it depends on the game. We are very good as a team because we know how to adapt to different scenarios."

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Image source, Reuters

Reporter: How will you deal with the responsibility of becoming the first captain to lift the World Cup twice if France win?

Lloris: "I was privileged enough to win the trophy in 2018. I am very proud of that. But, to be honest, I am focusing on the present now. What happened in the past belongs to the past. We are looking forward to writing our own history and creating our own story and we want to finish this tournament as well as we possibly can.

"Of course it is going to be the most difficult match in the tournament. It is the final, that goes without saying. We are going to have to be ready for any scenario.

"We are going to be ready to show great solidarity and graft. In spite of all the games, and the tiredness, and the virus that has been going through the camp, we are going to have to finish the job as well as we can."

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Hugo Lloris is asked about what he will say to his team-mates in his team talk and if there is a difference between the players who played in the 2018 final against Croatia:

"What happens in the changing room before the match isn't always planned. It is spontaneous and it depends what I feel like saying at the time.

"After the final four years ago the context was very different, the opponent was very different. It was a different tournament. You have to live in the moment. Of course our experience four years ago can help those of us that played in that match, but tomorrow's game is something totally different.

"We are looking forward to making the history books in our own way: our players and our staff. We've already achieved a great deal in this tournament but we're looking forward to going further."

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Image source, PA Media

Lloris is asked about his thoughts on neutral fans wanting Argentina legend Lionel Messi to mark his final World Cup appearance with a winners' medal:

"We have the support of our fans and we know the French people are behind us. Nothing else really matters.

"We started this World Cup with an objective to go as far as possible, and very few people believed in us at the outset. We are now in the final, four years after our last final, and we're going to pull out all the stops to try and win this game.

"Of course we know what Lionel Messi means in the history of football, but this is a match between France and, at the end of the day, Argentina.

"There are some very good players in both squads and Argentina are very good competitors. We are looking forward to a great match."

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France captain Hugo Lloris:

"I do tend to be someone who remains calm in general. But, like anybody, emotions can take over and I do talk a lot in the changing room.

"That is part of being a footballer. These are things you can't necessarily control. I do remain calm. That is pretty much all I can say."

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Image source, PA Media

Back to Didier Deschamps, who is asked about his future as France boss.

"To be the France manager has been the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in my career. I am still as passionate about the role as I ever have been," the 54-year-old says.

"I am delighted to be France coach. The most important thing is the team. I am at the service of the team, as I have been for 10 years. I am not the most important person here, it is all about the team.

"My future won't depend on tomorrow's result. I'm not even thinking about the future at the moment."

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More from Lloris, on how he defines Argentina's style of play: "I can say what I've seen during this World Cup: They are a very organised side, very strong defensively and have a very strong press on whoever has the ball. They are very good on the break and take advantage of opponents mistakes.

"Over the years Argentina has always produced some world-class players; Maradona was a perfect example and now we've got Lionel Messi. They are legends of football.

"Everyone will be really looking forward to the final in the Argentina camp, but for France, whoever you play in a World Cup final, it will be a tremendous occasion, and maybe playing Argentina makes that more of an attractive proposition. I sincerely hope this match will go down in history, French history in particular."

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Image source, Reuters

Before Deschamps, France skipper and Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris was first up in the news conference and he was asked for an update on the health of the squad, with a virus working its way through the camp in recent days.

"I haven't got any more news since last night," said Lloris.

"Everyone was still in their rooms this morning when I got up for breakfast so I haven't seen anyone. I'm sure you will get more information by our next training session.

"You are never really prepared for a virus. This was something we weren't necessarily prepared for but we remain focused and, of course, we're very excited about playing in a World Cup final."

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Didier Deschamps is now asked about whether the level of support that Argentina will have in the final will outweigh France, and what impact that could have on the final.

"It is true that Argentina will probably have more fans in the stadium," responds Deschamps.

"It will be a very festive atmosphere. They are very passionate people and support their team as you'd expect.

"But our opponents will be on the pitch tomorrow, not in the stands, and only one side will have three stars on their shirt at the end of the game."

The France boss is looking happy and relaxed on the eve of one of the biggest games of his managerial career.

Image source, Reuters

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"I don't like replying to this particular question," says Deschamps when asked if Benzema, who has been injured, could make a shock appearance in Sunday's final.

"Since that injury and Lucas Hernandez's injury in the first game, I've had 24 players and those are the players at my disposal.

"It isn't fair for those players for you to ask about the players not here. It is not up to me who comes to watch the game. My focus is on the 24-player squad I have and those will be the players at my disposal tomorrow."

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Karim Benzema has not kicked a ball at this World Cup. He has not even been in Qatar. But the Ballon d'Or winner features heavily in questions to Didier Deschamps.

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It's midday in Qatar and we're just 30 HOURS away from the World Cup final. Hello and welcome if you're just joining us as we build up to Sunday's showpiece, as well as the third place play-off between Croatia and Morocco later today.

France boss Didier Deschamps is facing the media as we speak. We'll bring you everything he has to say right here.

Image source, Reuters

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BBC pundits Alan Shearer, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand are full of praise for Antoine Griezmann's all-round performance during France's 2-0 win over Morocco.

Image source, .

By the way, Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.

Read Saturday's Gossip here.