Need to limit Ronaldo’s influence: Deschamps

Hosts France head coach Didier Deschamps on Saturday stressed the need to limit Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence in Sunday’s final. “If there is an anti-Ronaldo plan, like a recipe, no one has yet found,” Deschamps was quoted as saying. “Ronaldo is a great player with outstanding athleticism, footwork and aerial play. We must be careful and limit his influence,” Deschamps added. “It’s a special moment, and a unique opportunity. There is a title at the end. But that do not change what we used to do. The idea is to be as relaxed as possible but remain very focused on this game.”

Griezmann as good as Ronaldo, Messi: Sagna 

France right back Bacary Sagna, who will face the daunting task of keeping a close eye on Cristiano Ronaldo in Sunday’s final, said teammate Antoine Griezmann now belonged to the same elite club as the Portugal forward. “Ronaldo, we know him. He’s one of the best players in the world -- if not the best -- and he has worked very hard to get there,” said Sagna. “Antoine, to me, is right up there too, in the same league as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.” Griezmann, who left for Spain as a teenager after being turned down by French academies because he was regarded as not being big enough, matured to become one of the world’s most dangerous strikers. “It’s a kind of revenge for him after the French academies wouldn’t take him,” Sagna said. “He made it the hard way and he deserves to be where he is.” 

Portugal’s Pepe says he’s fit for the final  

Portugal defender Pepe has confirmed he will be fit for Sunday's final and dismissed questions about his temperament, saying his track record speaks for itself. Pepe, widely criticised for his conduct on the field during his career, told reporters on Saturday that he was demanding of himself and his ability had been recognised at the “highest level”. The Brazilian-born defender missed Wednesday's semifinal win over Wales with a thigh injury and also trained separately on Friday but confirmed he would be fit for Sunday's final against hosts France. “I'm fine, I had the chance to train today and will be available for the coach to pick tomorrow,” he told reporters. — Agencies