Deschamps delighted to silence Ronaldo in France against Portugal stalemate

 Deschamps delighted to silence Ronaldo in France-Portugal stalemate

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly remains a target for Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo, 35, is into his third season at Juventus after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner enjoyed stellar spells at Real Madrid and Manchester United.

But the Portugal international has been linked with a move from Turin previously, and that talk continues.

TOP STORY – PSG STILL EYEING RONALDO

PSG could make a move for Ronaldo again next year, according to CalcioMercato.

However, the report says Ronaldo is committed to seeing out his contract at Juventus through to 2022.

Ronaldo has scored three goals in two games for Juve this season.

ROUND-UP

- Could Barcelona and Juventus combine for further deals next year? CalcioMercato says the two European giants may begin talks about a swap deal involving Ousmane Dembele and Federico Bernardeschi. Earlier this year, Miralem Pjanic left Juve for Barcelona, while Arthur joined the Serie A champions.

- Mesut Ozil wants to stay at Arsenal. TyC Sports says Saudi club Al-Nassr made a £5million bid for Ozil and Arsenal were prepared to accept it, but the playmaker wanted to remain at the Premier League club.

- With Alisson injured and Adrian under fire, Liverpool have been linked with a move for a goalkeeper before the domestic transfer deadline in England on Friday. However, the Mirror reports the Premier League champions will not sign a new goalkeeper despite links to Stoke City shot-stopper Jack Butland.

- After staying at Sevilla amid links to Manchester City, Jules Kounde could be set for a new contract. Muchodeporte reports the LaLiga club could look to renew the defender's deal.

- Despite being linked with a move, Nikola Milenkovic ended up staying at Fiorentina. However, CalcioMercato says Milan could return with a bid for the defender in January after deciding against paying the €40m Fiorentina wanted for the 23-year-old Serbia international this off season.

- Juventus think they can get more than €50m for defender Merih Demiral, according to CalcioMercato. Demiral has been linked to Inter and Tottenham.

Santos disappointed by a lack of 'explosiveness' in France-Portugal draw

Didier Descahmps lauded France for keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet but conceded his side were short of their best in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Portugal.

The two remain locked together at the top of Nations League Group A3 after playing out a goalless draw at the Stade de France, which housed 1,000 socially distanced fans.

It was the first meeting between the sides since Portugal's triumph in the Euro 2016 final, but the contest failed to deliver much in the way of drama.

Ronaldo saw a late strike repelled by Hugo Lloris in what was a largely underwhelming clash between the champions of the world and the champions of Europe.

"We can always do better," admitted Les Bleus boss Deschamps.

"With the quality of the opponent we took precautions, we did not see Ronaldo this evening.

"It was more difficult for the attacking units in this game. Sometimes it is the movements that are not good, sometimes the passes do not arrive.

"We have to do better in the last move to win the match."

Deschamps was keen to highlight the excellent defensive work of both teams in shutting out two line-ups full of attacking quality.

"We knew that Portugal was a great team, we must rather talk about the defensive quality of the two teams," he said.

"The midfielders were very efficient in terms of technical accuracy... they allowed us to have more control, especially in the second half."

Next up for France is Wednesday's match away to Croatia.

France 0-0 Portugal: No Euro 2016 revenge for Les Bleus

France and Portugal remain locked together at the top of Nations League Group A3 after playing out a goalless draw at the Stade de France.

Facing each other for the first time since Eder proved Portugal's unlikely hero in the final of Euro 2016 at the same venue, a pair of all-star attacks found no way through against similarly elite defences.

Didier Deschamps' hosts, who enjoyed the backing of 1,000 socially distanced fans within the cavernous arena, were unable to relocate the free-scoring form that saw them demolish Ukraine 7-1 in a midweek friendly.

Portugal followed up their 0-0 draw against Spain with another stalemate, although Pepe thought he had headed a 74th-minute winner, only to see the offside flag raised.

Lucas Hernandez made a last-ditch block to deny Cristiano Ronaldo on the end of Bernardo Silva's deft 24th-minute flick – the opening exchanges having been easy on the eye without yielding much in the way of goalmouth action.

Antoine Griezmann drifted in between Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro latch on to Paul Pogba's floated pass and fire at Hugo Lloris, while Joao Felix incurred Ronaldo's wrath at the other end by flinging himself at Bruno Fernandes' free-kick to divert it away from the Juventus superstar.

Kylian Mbappe looked to rip the game open early in the second half, beating Danilo Pereira with a brilliant piece of skill, but Rui Patricio saved his dinked effort well.

Ronaldo uncharacteristically misjudged a half-volleyed attempt from Guerreiro's searching cross and it was an unerring set-piece delivery from the Borussia Dortmund man that picked out a stooping Pepe, whose celebrations were correctly cut short.

A more familiar match-winner almost presented himself in stoppage time, but Lloris got down sharply to repel Ronaldo at his near post.

What does it mean? All to play for in the return

Despite the lack of a decisive moment, this was a high-class encounter with some of Europe's finest talents catching the eye. Portugal and France have seven points from their three matches and expect them to add three more apiece before meeting again next month.

Raphael paints beautiful pictures

On the left of a Portugal back four that worked their way to a commendable clean sheet, Guerreiro excelled in attack as well. He completed more passes (76 of 83), attempted more passes in the opposition half (42) and more crosses (three) than any of his esteemed colleagues. The full-back's five tackles and eight instances of possession gained were also the best numbers returned by a member of Fernando Santos' side.

Roughhousing Ruben avoids red

Dias was similarly part of that solid defensive unit, completing 51 of 53 passes and conceding a solitary foul. However, that incident in the second minute could have brought about a very different contest. Manchester City's record signing was booked for thumping Olivier Giroud with an elbow. By the time the bandaged France striker returned to the action, his marker should arguably have been taking an early bath.

What's next?

France travel to Croatia on Wednesday, when Portugal host Sweden.