Thursday, 28 June 2018

What does Didier Deschamps want from his France team? If only he knew

Nabil Fékir and Steven N’Zonzi may be shoehorned into the team for the Argentina match but France need some clear direction if they are to impress at this World Cup

By Adam White for Get French Football News

France and Denmark emphatically ended a streak of 36 matches without a goalless draw at Russia 2018. Their 90-minute standoff in Moscow took both sides through to the last-16 but it represented something of a nadir for this World Cup, with France somehow managing to double down on their slow, turgid opening to the tournament. The game also posed further selection questions for Didier Deschamps as he attempts to wrestle some form from his supremely talented yet cripplingly uninspired squad. Most notably: what should he do with Nabil Fékir, the only player who posed a consistent threat against Denmark.

With France already assured of a place in the last-16, Deschamps made some changes for the Denmark game. Steve Mandanda replaced the rested Hugo Lloris in goal; Djibril Sidibé and Presnel Kimpembe played in defence; Steven N’Zonzi took Paul Pogba’s place in midfield; and Thomas Lemar and Ousmane Dembélé played out wide in place of Blaise Matuidi and Kylian Mbappé. The tired and trusted 4-4-2 remained.

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from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2tIN9ad

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