The work is already done. Thanks to their 4-0 victory against Ukraine on Thursday, the Blues won their ticket to North America, and will be there for this next World Cup. This match against Azerbaijan (6 p.m.) therefore does not pose a major challenge… Or at least, that’s what we might have thought. Indeed, there are certain players who must prove to Didier Deschamps that they can have a place on the plane that will cross the Atlantic next June.
The coach should thus line up a rather reshuffled eleven, taking into account the various absences which occurred before and during the training course, like Kylian Mbappé and Camavinga who left for Madrid, or Manu Koné, suspended following his yellow against Ukraine. The Team explains that there are 6 players playing big in Baku at the end of the afternoon.
You have to impress Deschamps
Théo Hernandez is thus mentioned. The Milanese full-back, who should start today, has things to prove to Lucas Digne for the starting position on the left side of the defense. With Jules Koundé clearly in trouble this season, Malo Gusto also has a shot to play for the starting position on the right. Next come those who fight for a place in the group. Warren Zaire-Emery, not necessarily exceptional at the club in recent months, must also show himself in his best light if he wants to score points in the tricolor jersey. The name of Khephren Thuram, called in as reinforcements to cover Eduardo Camavinga’s injury, is also cited by the sports daily.
In more offensive roles, where competition is fierce, certain players could also hit hard in the event of a good match tonight. We thus find Maghnes Akliouche, the Monegasque, who is one of the players whose status in Blue is a bit between two waters. This is also the case for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will form an offensive duo with another attacker who must perform this evening: Hugo Ekitike, who amazed everyone at the Park on Thursday. The Crystal Palace and Liverpool players could even both be in direct competition for an available place, and they therefore know what remains to be done… As you will have understood, most of the Blues will not play this match with their hands in their pockets.
