Let’s swing into high gear Slow-starting France seek to harness scary potential against Uruguay

Showing his fun side: France coach Didier Deschamps joking with midfielder Thomas Lemar at a training session. — AFP

NIZHNY NOVGOROD: France got off to a slow start at the World Cup but four goals against Argentina last weekend will be a stark reminder to Uruguay of what they are capable of producing when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals today.

Didier Deschamps’ men were always among the tournament favourites but an underwhelming set of warm-up internationals plus a timid start in Russia suggested their reputation rang louder than reality.