Thierry Henry, the coach of the French Olympic team, is lining up his first-choice team in the hope of winning the gold medal in the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this Friday evening (kick-off 6 p.m., on France 2 and Eurosport 2), against Spain.
Manu Koné and Enzo Millot were suspended for the semi-final against Egypt won after extra time (3-1), Monday evening at the Groupama Stadium. They are making their return in midfield, with Koné at number 6 (he has been one of the mainstays of the French team since the start of the competition) and Millot as a right relay/right winger depending on the phases of play. Andy Diouf, who started in midfield against the Egyptians, is leaving the group (only 18 players are eligible per match).
Thierry Henry’s attacking trio maintained
The Blues will therefore be led by their attacking trio composed of the new French nugget Michael Olise, involved in six of the team’s seven goals in his five starts, as well as Jean-Philippe Mateta, scorer in the last three matches. Captain Alexandre Lacazette is there, he who has been in great difficulty in the game. In attacking options present on the bench, we therefore find Maghnes Akliouche (who is paying the price for Enzo Millot’s return to the eleven), Desiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Arnaud Kalimuendo, all three of whom came into play in Lyon.
La Roja overturned Morocco in their semi-final (2-1), at the Vélodrome, thanks in particular to the fourth goal of Barça attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez. The Spanish are slight favourites in this final. PSG goalkeeper Arnau Tenas is in the starting line-up, as are Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi in central defence and Alex Baena, the other winner of Euro 2024 with Fermin Lopez. Abel Ruiz, who has just been recruited by Girona in Braga, is Spain’s number 9.
