Paraguay perfect ahead of must-win Swedish WCup qualifier

CLAIREFONTAINE-EN-YVELINES: France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday his long international squad get together and a friendly against Paraguay were perfect preparation for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Sweden in Stockholm on June 9.

After five qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, France top Group A on 13 points, three ahead of Sweden in second with Bulgaria on nine in third and the Netherlands on seven in fourth.

"We want to be on very top form," said Deschamps, who led France to the final of Euro 2016.

"Sweden are the closest side to us," said Deschamps of the group system where only the winning team is guaranteed a place in the finals.

"Some of the squad have been less active than others so we needed the week here (at the national training centre at Clairefontaine) started with just around 10 of the lads.

"I didn't organise this long get together for the sake of it - I need the players to both relax into it and to get away from it all," he explained.

France take on Paraguay in a home friendly on June 2, Sweden away on June 9 and England in Paris in a June 13 friendly.