The path to Les Bleus’ World Cup opener could scarcely have been strewn with more obstacles. After French football’s litany of off-the-pitch controversies were put to one side for the tournament, Didier Deschamps has now had to face a seemingly insurmountable injury crisis.
From losing the midfield pair that were crucial to the 2018 World Cup win to injury in Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, to Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema’s eleventh-hour withdrawal, to a completely revamped defence – uncertainty is the prevailing feeling in the France camp.
With Deschamps reverting to a back four after his year-long three-at-the-back experiment, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez start as more defensive-minded fullbacks. Aurélien Tchouaméni is thrust into the limelight as France’s main midfield hope far soon than he would have expected, while 2018 absentee (of his making) Adrien Rabiot will look to carry over his good spell of form with Juventus.
Ousmane Dembélé is the main beneficiary of the return to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kylian Mbappé lining up on the opposite wing. Antoine Griezmann – who was tipped earlier this week for a more all-action midfield role – starts as the attacking midfielder, while Olivier Giroud leads the line at a World Cup once again. The attack is the one department where Les Bleus won’t be short on experience at this level – Mbappé, Griezmann and Giroud have 283 caps and 119 international goals between them.
Hugo Lloris – Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez – Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot – Ousmane Dembélé, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé – Olivier Giroud.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin