There has been a certain excitement that has dominated the air of Split for a few hours. After 4 months without matches, the French team is back to school this Thursday evening (8:45 p.m.) on the occasion of the quarterfinals of the League of Nations against Croatia. The meeting will be scrutinized in more ways than one. This is the first game of the Blues since Didier Deschamps announced his decision to leave his post after the 2026 World Cup. It is also time for the return for Kylian Mbappé, absent from the last two rallies, and which will probably be associated with his former club partner, Ousmane Dembélé, who is walking on the water at PSG.
The Croatian defense is warned, especially since the last results of the band at Zlatko Dalic were not up to expectations. To counter the very promising tricolor attack, the coach would opt for a 3-4-3 with the presence of Livakovic in order. The latter would be protected by a trio made up of Sutalo, Lyonnais Caleta-Car and Gvardiol. It is in the middle that there may be traffic jams to pass since Captain Modric would be associated with Kovacic and Perisic, in addition to SOSA. Finally, Kramaric and Ivanovic should animate the sides of the attack to leave the tip to Budimir.
Three “Parisians” in front?
For this remake of the 2018 World Cup final, Didier Deschamps will undoubtedly be tempted to align men in the form of the moment. It is not a friendly match either, but a challenge meeting, with a return match on Sunday at the Stade de France. There will be no surprise in order with the presence of Maignan. To form the central hinge, Konaté and Saliba leave with a step ahead, especially due to the painful ankle of Upamecano. Koundé should hold his place on the right but it is well worthy that could be aligned on the left in place of Theo Hernandez, hit in the calf.
In the midfield, there are a little more uncertainties but the coach gave some indications during the last session. In his 4-3-3, Guendouzi would be preferred to Manu Koné. To accompany the former Marseillais, we would find Aurélien Tchouameni, who had brought the armband against Belgium in the absence of Mbappé, and Rabiot, touched by the last banners against him but supported by his teammates in selection. In attack, it is spoiled for choice around Mbappé the captain, expected to start left to leave the axis in Dembélé. Kolo Muani is the favorite to complete this trio at the expense of olise.
