Against Brazil, France received a reality check.
"This is obviously a blow," said coach Didier Deschamps, regarding the 3-1 defeat to Brazil, a match in which forward Neymar was the star player.
By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - France suffered a reality check in their preparations for Euro 2016 on home soil when they were defeated by Brazil in a friendly match at the Stade de France on Thursday.
The French team, which had been undefeated since being eliminated in the quarterfinals of last year's World Cup, lost 3-1.
Didier Deschamps' team, which beat Spain, Portugal and Sweden last year, was dominated in midfield with the absence of Paul Pogba, and was also weakened in attack as its defenders had problems with Brazilian midfielders Willian and Oscar.
"This is obviously a blow," said Deschamps.
The French team had several chances to tie the game, but Karim Benzema missed one of these chances, sending the ball wide with a first-time shot after a great cross from Mathieu Valbuena.
"The quality of our opponent forced us to defend a lot, to make a lot of effort to win the ball, and we paid the price with a lack of vision in front of the goal," said the coach.
It was the first time in 22 years that France had conceded three goals.
French full-backs Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna were regularly outplayed by Willian and Oscar, who were involved in all three goals.
Deschamps, however, refused to panic, reminding everyone that Brazil has a more immediate objective than France, which still has time before the Euro finals.
"They are getting ready for the (Copa América), while the Euros are more than a year away," he said.
France faces another test on Sunday when it hosts Denmark for a friendly match in Saint Etienne.