France to line up in 4-2-3-1 formation for World Cup opener

L’Équipe report in today’s issue that France are likely to line up in their opening World Cup group stage game, against Australia on November 22, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Didier Deschamps is notably set to deploy Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot out on the left, in a position akin to that of Blaise Matuidi when the formation was last used at Euro 2016 and in France’s World Cup victory four years ago.

Rabiot’s position would allow the manager to shore up the left-hand side defensively, notably with a more attacking-minded player in Antoine Griezmann taking up the same position on the opposite flank. This formation would then look more like a 4-3-3 in attacking phases, and would prevent Karim Benzema and Griezman from occupying the same areas of the pitch. Kylian Mbappé would then complete the front three, who would all be allowed some degree of freedom. The midfield three will consist of Youssouf Fofana, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot.

Deschamps has also considered deploying Griezmann in a midfield role similar to that of Ángel Di María in Real Madrid’s Champions League success in 2013/14. In that scenario, the third forward would be a winger such as Ousmane Dembélé or Kingsley Coman. A diamond midfield with the Atlético Madrid man as a playmaker is also an option, though not the first choice.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin