I don't control players with a joystick, says Didier Deschamps
The France coach denies ordering his players to celebrate together in order to portray harmony within the team
France coach Didier Deschamps embodies Michel Platini's dictum that football is all about control, and he has brought those skills learned as the 1998 World Cup-winning captain to this campaign's French squad.
While some have queried whether statements from players about being happy and enjoying living together, not to mention their almost choreographed communal celebrations after scoring goals, are directed by Deschamps so as to firmly cast into the shadows the debacle of the 2010 finals, he firmly denies it.
"I am not controlling the players with a joystick," he said, visibly irritated when asked if he ordered them to join the celebrations.
We need to avoid taking our foot off the gas even if there is not a huge amount at stake
Certainly there has been much to celebrate thus far in the finals with eight goals in two games and a point against Ecuador will guarantee them top spot in group E.
The 45-year-old set the tone with his decision to leave the disruptive Samir Nasri out of his squad, showing he was willing to sacrifice talent for a happy ship.
That was where his two predecessors, Raymond Domenech at the 2010 finals and then Laurent Blanc at Euro 2012 - where Nasri failed to repay his faith by being involved in two unsavoury incidents - failed.
And France are vowing no let up of their thrilling attacking style, as fullback Mathieu Debuchy says his teammates will aim to finish with a flourish.