Bari (Italy) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps is hoping to avoid a Euro 2016 hangover as his side prepare for their upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, starting with Thursday’s friendly against Italy in Bari.

French dreams of a third European Championship title crumbled following a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Portugal at the Stade de France in July, but Deschamps is determined to focus on the future. 

Following the game against Italy, France will open World Cup qualifying with a September 6 tie away to Belarus in Group A — which also includes the Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria and Luxembourg.

“The Euros are behind us. My wish is to make use of it, yes, but not for us to focus too much on it,” said Deschamps, adding France would “have to fight” to earn their place at the tournament in Russia. 

Thursday’s game will be the first in charge for new Italy boss Giampiero Ventura, the successor to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, and Deschamps wants to inflict a first Azzurri defeat in the southern city of Bari.

“When we play neighbouring countries, such as Germany, Spain and England, there is this healthy rivalry. It will be a glamour game,” said Deschamps, who has injected fresh blood into his squad.

Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris as well as defender Bacary Sagna miss out through injury while veteran left-back Patrice Evra was overlooked, with Deschamps presenting Layvin Kurzawa and Lucas Digne a chance to stake their claim.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane is poised to return and skipper the team, in the absence of Lloris, with the 23-year-old fully recovered from the thigh injury that ruled him out of the European Championship.

“Raphael is a player who I’ve counted on for several years,” said Deschamps.

“He’s been there practically since the start of the adventure and played at the 2014 World Cup. He had this injury, but my view of him hasn’t changed. He’s an important part of the team.”