The France squad travels to Denmark this Saturday (5 p.m.) for its second World Cup encounter. And Didier Deschamps should field a team that is extremely similar to the one that dethroned Australia (4-1).
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| [France vs Denmark prediction/Sporting News] |
THE PROBABLE COMPOSITION OF THE FRANCE TEAM AGAINST DENMARK
Never replace a winning team? Didier Deschamps should essentially align the lineup that defeated Australia for France's second encounter, on Saturday, against Denmark (4-1). Although he may make some defensive improvements.
Théo Hernandez should take over in the left lane for his brother Lucas, who was hurt against the Australians and will be out for the remainder of the season. Raphael Varane, who missed the first encounter, might replace Ibrahima Konaté in the axis, while Jules Koundé is expected to replace Benjamin Pavard on the right, where he struggled against Australia.
For the remainder, the tricolor coach should re-sign Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield, as well as the attacking quintet of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, and Ousmane Dembélé. The latter was in a good position with Kingsley Coman, but the Bayern Munich player felt discomfort in the adductor and might be kept.
Didier Deschamps and the France team have a few hours before making a decision. And they should make their decision after the final training session planned the day before the game, which might allow the defending world champions to qualify for the round of 16 if they win again.
THE DANES FEAR GIROUD, "EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE"
Following his double against Australia (4-1) on Tuesday with France, Olivier Giroud has instilled terror in the ranks of Denmark, the Blues' next World Cup opponent on Saturday (5 p.m.).
Denmark might enter its second World Cup encounter against France on Saturday (5 p.m.) with a lot of confidence after two triumphs in four months against the Blues. However, the 0-0 tie with Tunisia raised some concerns among the selectors. Just like Olivier Giroud's effort against Australia (4-1). If he admitted to having devised a strategy against Kylian Mbappé, Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand is also wary of the Milan striker and relies on his defender Simon Kjaer, a club teammate of Giroud's, to thwart the great form of the France team's co-top scorer in history.
"We'll see, says the coach, hoping for an advantage. Olivier Giroud is a footballer that excels at what he does. It's encouraging to see more and more older scorers using their expertise to move in the box and be dangerous. They have better poise and control in their finishing and possession. Giroud is demonstrating that he is possibly even better than before. He is quite hazardous. Of course, Simon is quite familiar with him, and he can tell us a lot about Giroud and other stuff. That, I hope, will be an advantage."
Giroud, France's oldest World Cup striker, has played Denmark four times in his long international career. He scored three goals in his first two encounters in 2015, but stayed silent throughout the 2018 World Cup and again in September during the League of Nations match (Danish victory 2-0).